Photo Collection of Stephanie Wood

Kislak Collection -- Maya Objects

Knee detail, Face detail, Headdress detail

Limestone Panel of a Ballplayer.

Provenience unknown. Late Classic Maya, C.E. 550-950
Limestone. Ht. 40 cm. (15 3/4"); W. 27 cm. (10 5/8")
Ex-Collection: Klaus Perls.
Published: Coe, 1973, fig. 5; Mayer, 1980, pl. 60, cat. no. 41

The ballplayer is dramatically poised off balance and kneeling on his right knee with all his ceremonial and protective attire rendered in precise detail. His large headdress is adorned with a long-lipped monster's head tipped with carved shell ornaments. Bones extend from the center and plumes wrapped by jade beads curve to the back, further embelished with a small ear ornament, a ballgame choker with a central medallion, and a jade necklace. The two glyphs at the lower left probably refer to the player's name. It is interesting to compare this figure to the one painted on the vase displayed in the adjacent case. (Description from the Kislak Collection.)

Photo, ©2004, by Stephanie Wood.