LORD'S FACE. This impressive bas-relief reveals... - Lot 123 - Pierre Bergé & Associés

LORD'S FACE. This impressive bas-relief reveals the face of a Mayan ruler. Her half-opened lips reveal her teeth. Its aquiline nose is framed by large almond-shaped eyes. It is decorated with an imposing headdress organized in layers. The front is surrounded by a tiara with symmetrical decoration, consisting of two volutes and a central medallion. Elements reminiscent of the body of a snake-like animal unfold on each side. The volutes support a small mask representing a human face whose hair protrudes by a hoop. It is set on a band carved with interlacing and animated with tablets. Above, a striated band is decorated with a conical shape, segmented into four. Vertical bands suggest the size of the headdress, certainly complemented by plumes of feathers. Finally, a circular earring and paintings on the cheeks complete this rich ornamentation. This type of life-size stucco was part of an architectural setting. Mayan culture, Mexico, Guatemala, 500 - 900 AD State: Top of the headdress broken and glued back together. A few repaints. H_51 cm L_37 cm D_22 cm Source: Arts of the Americas Gallery, acquired in the 1970s. Bibliographical reference for a similar object: Exhibition: "I Maya di Copán, l'Atene del Centroamerica", Palazzo Real, Milan, from 3 October 1997 to 1 March 1998, figs. 224 and 225, p. 226 to 228.