Seated Ballplayer

Title: Seated Ballplayer
Description: The ceramic figure depicts a ballplayer wearing three skulls around his neck, alluding to the mythical story where the gods of the underworld feel threatened by how good humans become at playing the ballgame. He also wears a thick padded belt made out of cloth or leather. This was used to deflect the ball and protect their hips. An apron or skirt was wrapped around to secure it to his waist. The forearms are also protected by wristbands made of cloth.
Creator: unknown
Identifier: 2013.291
Date: 600-900 CE
Type: statuettes (free-standing sculpture)
cultural context: Maya (culture or style); Mesoamerican
Medium: earthenware; pigment
Subject: Skull in art; Ball games; Decoration and ornament; Maya art
height: 14 cm
width: 11.1 cm
depth: 12.7 cm
Rights
Rights Holder: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston