The afterlife and the spirits who roamed its
nether regions were very real to the Maya. They
believed the non-physical world could affect the
physical, and in order to communicate between
the two realms a transformation process was
necessary. Masks were an important element in
this transformation, acting as a 'medium'
between the person wearing the mask and the
spirit who would 'become' the mask during ritual
ceremonies. Disguise was another function of
the mask by hiding the wearer's identity after
death to confuse unwanted spirits, or attract
benevolent ones. This extraordinary and rare
mask appears to be two things at once-- a cover
for the face of the deceased, or perhaps hung on
an effigy; and a representation of someone as an
actual portrait. The mask's expression seems as
if it is seeing wonders beyond our normal
awareness. The tight fitting cap that curves
around the forehead may have been like those
actually worn by certain individuals. A mosaic
mask of a Maya nobleman was found in Tikal
wearing a turtle headdress with a similar beak
protrusion. The turtle was associated with
aspects of the solar system, and may have been
directly connected with shaman/priests who
studied the stars and planets as part of their
divination practices. Though much of Maya art is
understood, there are still objects that continue
to mystify and intrigue us. This mysterious mask
is just such an object; a gift from the past more
awe-inspiring than when it was carved hundreds
of years ago.
- (PF.4753)
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