Rare Maya Figure of a Captive

Jaina Late classic

Circa 550 - 950 AD

Height 8 1/4”

Provenance: Andre Emmerich Inc., acquired from the above in 1980, Sotheby’s New York, lot 136, May 13, 2011 ($25,000)

Exhibited: Princeton, Jaina Figurines, A Study of Maya Iconography, The Art Museum, Princeton University, May 3-June 29, 1975.

Literature: Mary Ellen Miller, Jaina Figurines, A Study of Maya Iconography, Princeton University Art Museum, 1975, fig. 19, pg. 50, illus.

Clay, the high-ranking captive suspended from the pierced skin of his back, still clothed in a regal attire of short cape and loincloth, the ear ornaments replaced with long paper and feather elements, his coiffure with plait curling to the front, his brave expression with moustache and nose ornament. 

Catalogue note: This unique Jaina figure dramatically depicts the early stages of the ceremonial capture of an elite prisoner. While other Jaina prisoner figures are shown in an agonized and naked state, this important dignitary was memorialized before his accoutrements of status were striped away. See Miller and Martin (2004: pl. 97), for a Jaina captive with such ear ornaments, also ibid (pls. 98 and 100) for stone monuments of captives. Ritual and actual warfare were constant aspects of Maya society, with alliances and power bases of the city states in frequent tux.