Stela
Item
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Title
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Stela
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Description
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This stela shows the image of a king dressed in the ritual attire and ornamentation specifically of the Maize god. The ritual would have involved bloodletting performed by the king to both summon the gods and to offer thanks to the gods for a successful 10 year period of sustenance, with good crops and rainfall. This image would have been understood to be a hybrid of a king temporarily taking the form of the deity. This would have been noticed from the ceremonial bar held by the king, as well as the spondylus shell that hangs from his belt, and his skirt and cape, which are made from a net of jade beads. The jade symbolized wealth and power, as well as water, rainfall, and nourishment. In adorning themselves with these layers of jewelry and ornamented clothing, they were also indicating to the viewer that as rulers they had the ability to provide for their people. Wearing the regalia that represents the Maize god was a reenactment of the creation of the world, in preparation for the next cycle of years.
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Creator
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unknown
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Identifier
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1990.22
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Date
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702 CE
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height
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162.6 cm
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width
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68.6 cm
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depth
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30.5 cm
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Rights
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Rights Holder
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The Art Institute of Chicago
Stela