spiritual sculpture

Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association replicate the vivid sculpture of a Maya woman, believed to be related to the cult of the goddess of weavers. The original dates circa 600 - 800 AD and was found in the Island of Jaina, off the coast of Campeche. "The Maya named this island Hanal, which means 'house of water' and turned it into a commercial center," the artisans explain. "Renamed Jaina by the Spanish, the island is now famous for its myriad Maya tombs filled with a variety of statuettes and utensils, as was their custom. The fact that the original sculpture portrayed a woman with an elaborate headdress and detailed garments suggests she represented a person from the aristocracy."

Seated for a brief rest, a hooded man carries an aribalo or drinking vessel on his back. Walter Jose Acosta faithfully portrays the water carrier who served pre-Hispanic communities in the Andes. This signed ceramic image is a museum replica.