Pair of Carved Ornaments

Title: Pair of Carved Ornaments
Description: These ornaments have been carved out of shell and depict two matching human head profiles. They would have been worn on the costumes of Maya nobles. The ornaments depict a man with an elongated cranium whose hair is decorated with beads, likely representing the maize god.
Creator: unknown
Identifier: PC.B.567
Date: 500-600 CE
Type: sculpture techniques
cultural context: Maya (culture or style); Mesoamerican
Medium: conch (shell); seashell
Subject: Shell jewelry; Decoration and ornament; Maya art
Rights
Rights Holder: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington D.C.