Maya Empire Collection

Mayan priest smoking tobacco (litho)
8663550 Mayan priest smoking tobacco (litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mayan priest smoking tobacco as part of areligious ceremony)

Mayan statue of a god
2910681 Mayan statue of a god; (add.info.: Mayan statue of a god circa 900 AD.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century
529131 The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century, of the Yucatecan Maya in Chichen Itza; Universal History Archive/UIG

The Dresden Codex, also known as the Codex Dresdensis
2910724 The Dresden Codex, also known as the Codex Dresdensis; (add.info.: Mayan manuscript (known as the Dresden Codex). gods and demons are shown

The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century
529132 The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century, of the Yucatecan Maya in Chichen Itza; Universal History Archive/UIG

The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century
529133 The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century, of the Yucatecan Maya in Chichen Itza; Universal History Archive/UIG

The Immigration of the Maya (litho)
8661417 The Immigration of the Maya (litho) by Valda, John Harris (1874-1942); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Immigration of the Maya)

The Madrid Codex or "Tro-Cortesianus Codex", treatises of horoscopes and astrological tables
AIS5378108 The Madrid Codex or "Tro-Cortesianus Codex", treatises of horoscopes and astrological tables, brought to Spain by Hernan Cortes (1485-1547)

Maya priest and worshipper, from a sculpture in the British Museum (litho)
8673386 Maya priest and worshipper, from a sculpture in the British Museum (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Maya priest and worshipper)

Yaxchilan lintel of Ritual scene with a plaque of a jaguar governor carrying the feathers of Quetzal
AIS5378762 Yaxchilan lintel of Ritual scene with a plaque of a jaguar governor carrying the feathers of Quetzal, Late Classic or III period, 200-900 AD (limestone bas-relief); Museo Arqueologico

The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century
529134 The Dresden Codex (Codex Dresdensis) Pre-Columbian Mayan book of the 11th or 12th century, of the Yucatecan Maya in Chichen Itza; Universal History Archive/UIG

Royal belt ornament, c.500-700 (jadeite)
1068472 Royal belt ornament, c.500-700 (jadeite) by Mayan; 13.02x16.8275x4.13 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; (add.info.: Classic period Maya culture); The Nora and John Wise Collection

A collection of Waldeck's original artwork of Mesoamerica, Box 20 of 22, 1831 (print)
3672914 A collection of Waldeck's original artwork of Mesoamerica, Box 20 of 22, 1831 (print) by Waldeck, Johann Friedrich Maximilian von (1766-1875); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

Divinity, priest or hero of Maya nation, c. 1843-50 (watercolour)
3673393 Divinity, priest or hero of Maya nation, c.1843-50 (watercolour) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois, USA; (add.info.: C.H.S)

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3673449

Seated Ballplayer, 1st century BC-3rd century CE (ceramic)
7393883 Seated Ballplayer, 1st century BC-3rd century CE (ceramic) by Mexican School, Ameca-Etzatlan Jalisco, (100 BC-250); 48.3--33--23.8 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

Standing Ballplayer, 1st century BC-3rd century CE (ceramic)
7394126 Standing Ballplayer, 1st century BC-3rd century CE (ceramic) by Mexican School, Ameca-Etzatlan Jalisco, (100 BC-250); 28.3--13.7--12.1 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

Lidded tetrapod bowl with paddler and peccaries, c 200-450 AD (ceramic and cinnabar)
1069828 Lidded tetrapod bowl with paddler and peccaries, c 200-450 AD (ceramic and cinnabar) by Mayan; 30.48 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; (add.info.: Early Classic period)

Wall panel depicting Na-Bolon-K'an in ritual dress, c. 790 AD (limestone, stucco, and paint)
1068089 Wall panel depicting Na-Bolon-K'an in ritual dress, c.790 AD (limestone, stucco, and paint) by Mayan, (8th century AD); 220.35x76.83x15.24 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

Yaxchilan lintel 15, maya art
529921 Yaxchilan lintel 15, maya art by Mayan; (add.info.: Late Classic period (AD 600-900) From Yaxchilan, Mexico. A serpent apparition from a Maya temple, limestone lintel

Yaxchilan lintel 15 Maya art
529920 Yaxchilan lintel 15 Maya art by Mayan; (add.info.: Late Classic period (AD 600-900) From Yaxchilan, Mexico. A serpent apparition from a Maya temple, limestone lintel

Bead: Human head, c. 400 BC- 25 AD (jadeite)
1072444 Bead: Human head, c. 400 BC- 25 AD (jadeite) by Mayan; 3.175x1.905x1.1112522225 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; given in memory of Jerry L. Abramson by his estate

Spherical bead with four glyphs, 200-800 AD (jadeite)
1072465 Spherical bead with four glyphs, 200-800 AD (jadeite) by Mayan; 3.18 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; (add.info.: Classic period, Maya); given in memory of Jerry L. Abramson by his estate

Plaque fragment with profile face, c. 600-900 AD (jadeite)
1072449 Plaque fragment with profile face, c. 600-900 AD (jadeite) by Mayan; 4.76x3.49x0.95 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; given in memory of Jerry L. Abramson by his estate

Frontal-face pendant, 600 - 900 AD (jadeite)
1072453 Frontal-face pendant, 600 - 900 AD (jadeite) by Mayan; 5.4x5.08x0.95 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; (add.info.: Late Classic period, Maya); given in memory of Jerry L

Mayan deity statue from Mexico isolated on white background
7277346 Mayan deity statue from Mexico isolated on white background by Mayan; Private Collection; (add.info.: Mayan deity statue from Mexico isolated on white background); © Imagebroker

Stone relief in the palace (El Palacio), Mayan ruins, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico, Central America
7281059 Stone relief in the palace (El Palacio), Mayan ruins, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico, Central America by Pre-Columbian; Palenque, Chiapas State

Mayan god statue from Mexico isolated on white background
7277344 Mayan god statue from Mexico isolated on white background by Mayan; Private Collection; (add.info.: Mayan god statue from Mexico isolated on white background); © Imagebroker

Stela H at Mayan city of Copan, Honduras
7269188 Stela H at Mayan city of Copan, Honduras. by Catherwood, Frederick (1799-1854) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: An idol at Copan, Honduras. After a work by Frederick Catherwood)

Facade principale du palais des Nonnes, a Chichen-Itza, Amerique centrale (engraving)
7179758 Facade principale du palais des Nonnes, a Chichen-Itza, Amerique centrale (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Facade principale du palais des Nonnes)

The Codex of Madrid, painted miniatures, 14th century
AIS5347520 The Codex of Madrid, painted miniatures, 14th century by Mayan (10th-16th Century); Museo de America, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: The codex of Madrid or codex tro cortesianus)

Maya calendar (320-1697) composed of different glyphs (engraved stones)
AIS5370505 Maya calendar (320-1697) composed of different glyphs (engraved stones) by Mayan; Museo de Palenque, Chiapas State, Mexico; eIberfoto; out of copyright

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The Maya Empire, a civilization steeped in divinity and rich cultural heritage, flourished from c. 1843-50. Their priests and heroes were revered as the pillars of the Maya nation, guiding their people through rituals and ceremonies that connected them to the spiritual realm. Intricate watercolor paintings capture the essence of these divine figures, showcasing their importance within Maya society. One such portrayal depicts a priest or hero in stunning detail, his regal attire reflecting his elevated status. The significance of sports is evident in Mayan culture as well, with ceramic artifacts showcasing ballplayers engaged in intense matches. A seated ballplayer from the 1st century BC to 3rd century CE showcases their skill and agility while a standing ballplayer demonstrates their strength and prowess. Ceramics played an essential role in Mayan artistry; a lidded tetrapod bowl adorned with paddlers and peccaries transports us back to c. 200-450 AD when this exquisite piece was crafted using ceramic techniques enhanced by vibrant cinnabar accents. A wall panel depicting Na-Bolon-K'an dressed for ritualistic practices offers insight into religious customs prevalent during c. 790 AD. Created using limestone, stucco, and paint, this artwork provides a glimpse into ancient rituals performed by esteemed individuals like Na-Bolon-K'an. Yaxchilan lintel 15 stands as another testament to Maya artistry's magnificence—a captivating masterpiece that tells stories through intricate carvings on stone surfaces dating back centuries ago. Jadeite beads also hold immense cultural value for the Maya people; one bead portrays a human head from around 400 BC to 25 AD—an artifact connecting past generations with present ones through its timeless beauty. Another jadeite creation takes shape as a spherical bead adorned with four glyphs—symbols representing significant aspects of Mayan life between 200-800 AD—serving as tangible links to their ancient civilization.