Pre-Columbian, Mayan Territories, ca. 600 to 900 CE. A beautiful conch shell disc with incised carving that may have been part of an ear flare. A well-rendered fine line composition shows a ruler in profile, crouched on one knee. He is depicted wearing an elaborate backrack. The piece is pierced for suspension/attachment, with cinnabar in the inlay for contrast. Size: 1.75" W (4.4 cm)

The backrack this figure wears looks similar to the famous human-head backrack depicted at Yaxchilan. This is a human head, attached to the belt; here it is surrounded by large feathers that flow from the headdress and below the belt. The lord holds long feathers in his hands as in offering. The Maya trapped and bred birds in special aviaries specifically to harvest their feathers. These were used to make headdresses, capes, shields, and many other ornaments.

Provenance: Ex Poway California Private Collector

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#119358

Intact