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."

Wearing a magnificent headdress and jewelry, this Maya man sits with an offering pot in this original sculpture by artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association. The Mexican artisans, expert in pre-Hispanic art and history, now venture into the creation of original characters inspired by historical facts. They handcraft the highly-detailed sculpture with yellow clay from the state of Oaxaca, and finish the Maya personage with brightly colored details.

Inspired by the sacred traditions of the ancient Zapotec people, this ceramic sculpture reflects the artistry of funerary urns once used to honor the dead. Intricate details and symbolic motifs echo the rich spiritual heritage of Mesoamerica, capturing the essence of a culture that revered ancestry and the afterlife. Crafted with expert precision by the Angel Ceron Artisan Association, this exquisite figurine stands as a tribute to cultural heritage.

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.