Paire de fronces Ear FLARE 5th–7th Century Maya ces ornements de coquillages délicatement sculptés représentent la tête coupée du Dieu du maïs.Ils étaient probablement à l'origine fixés à l'avant d'un ensemble de boucles d'oreilles (ou « boucles d'oreilles »).Un assemblage de perles, y compris un cordon frontal et des contrepoids à perles, aurait pu ancrer ces éléments avant en place (voir des exemples d'assemblages d'évasements sur 1979.206.1047).Shell était un matériau très apprécié pour l'ancien Maya, et son utilisation ici indique que le propriétaire original de ces ornements était de statut d'élite.Leur préservation est remarquable, dans les jungles humides du Lowlan

• Contributeur: MET/BOT / Alamy Banque D'Images
• ID de l’image: 2HGYPXP
• Taille du fichier: 35,6 MB (878,5 KB Téléchargement compressé)
• Autorisations: Modèle - non | Propriété - non
• Dimensions: 4000 x 3107 px | 33,9 x 26,3 cm | 13,3 x 10,4 inches | 300dpi
• Date de la prise de vue: 20 janvier 2022

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Pair of Earflare Frontals 5th–7th century Maya These delicately carved shell ornaments depict the severed head of the Maize God. They most likely were originally set into the front of a set of earflares (or "earspools"). A bead assemblage, including a frontal bead and beaded counterweights, would have anchored these frontals in place (see examples of earflare assemblages on 1979.206.1047). Shell was a highly valued material for the ancient Maya, and its use here indicates the original owner of these ornaments was of elite status. Their preservation is notable—in the humid jungles of the Lowland Maya region, many organic materials, including shell, disintegrate over time.The set was clearly designed as a matching pair, but, if one looks closely, one can see that the frontals were carved by different hands. The earflare that faces left exhibits flatter relief and smooth, delicate lines. The composition is balanced, with an open, airy feel. The line-work, including the sweeping curve of the god’s closed eye, is neatly efficient, giving us a sense of the artist’s light, confident touch. The earflare that faces right is also masterfully executed, but the artist appears to have been more interested in creating a greater sense of volume and depth. The eye swells out against its eyelid, and the composition overall feels fleshier and more densely packed. The carved lines are deeper and thicker, and the artist has added an eyebrow and a more dramatically incurving scroll behind the forehead. Under raking light, a few mistakes are visible, the echoes of an errant but energetic carving stroke.The combination of the sloping forehead, bucktoothed overbite, chinstrap beard, and flowing cornsilk hair (seen both behind the ear and in a jade-beaded forelock that hangs from forehead to mouth) tell us that this is the face of the Maize God. Maize, or corn, was a popular subject for ancient Maya artists (see 1979.206.728). A number of different forms were used to represent diffe