In the mountains of Guatemala, located between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the indigenous people of Quiche (kʼicheʼ) have lived for a long time, who gained the peak of power in the postclassic Maya period (X-XVI centuries). The word kʼicheʼ can be translated as "many trees", the representatives of the people themselves called themselves "people of the forest country" (cuauhtēmallān). The Quiche were mainly engaged in agriculture: like other indigenous peoples of America, they grew corn. In addition, they mastered various crafts: ceramics, jewelry, made musical instruments and masks. They were conquered in 1524 by the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado: about 10 thousand Quiche warriors died in the decisive battle against the Spaniards.
Quiche craftsmen made large urns designed to store the remains of dignitaries. Some urns were found among the ruins of ritual structures, others in sacred caves where pilgrims traveled to ask their dead ancestors for advice. The copy presented in this publication is in the Walters Art Museum (Baltimore, USA). The urn is made of clay, its height is 55 cm. There is a portrait on the front part: this is probably the image of an ancestor who acquired divine characteristics after death and became an object of worship.
The image on the urn contains features of two deities. The first is Kinich Ajaw, the sun god, depicted as a man with an aquiline nose and large eyes. His face is often found on stucco masks in Mesoamerican temples. The second deity is GI, who, along with the other two, GII and GIII, is the patron of the city of Palenque. One mythical character emerges from the open mouth of another: this composition symbolizes an otherworldly personality, ready to listen to the prayers of descendants.
Ancient artifacts from different peoples of the world can be searched on Violity in this section.
