Mayan, but... interesting: Classical Mayan seated figure with removable helmet, Petén, Guatemala, 600-900

https://i.redd.it/mq6tqwrzi37a1.jpg
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13 Comments

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u/1bir 2 points 2022-12-20 19:46

Looks like a warrior, based on the helmet. But has barely sculpted eyes, which seems kind of unwarrior-like.

Perhaps this was meant to be seen with the helmet on (pic here). But in that case, why sculpt the head separately?

The seated posture isn't very warrior-like either...

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u/TechnoMagical_Intent 2 points 2022-12-20 20:06

Looks like that page you're linking to with the image of the helmet is an auction site, so here's the backup of it:

https://web.archive.org/web/20221220200403/https://www.gazette-drouot.com/en/article/gods-and-men-of-the-new-world/13815

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u/1bir 1 points 2022-12-20 20:19

Didn't realise it was a problem; I've replaced it with an imgur link :)

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u/jackmz123 2 points 2022-12-20 20:15

Warrior and a munk. That is a very common meditative posture/pose. I understand the significance of the posture and the helmet. The ankle bracelet, necklace, hand gestures (and what appears to be something in the left hand), the clothing and stripe down the right side of the body, and the stone underneath the left leg- all seem far more interesting/perplexing to me. I struggle to understand their significance.

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u/1bir 1 points 2022-12-20 20:36

I understand the significance of the posture and the helmet.

...?

(The rest, as you say, is mysterious...)

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u/[deleted] 0 points 2022-12-20 21:05 deleted

[removed]

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u/jackmz123 2 points 2022-12-20 21:05

The posture and the helmet represent the philosophy of balance/duality. Being both a warrior and a monk.

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u/1bir 2 points 2022-12-20 21:08

Could be! & that may also be why the helmet is removable...

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u/jackmz123 1 points 2022-12-20 21:17

Good point about the helmet being removable. It also appears he might have been holding something in his right hand as well. Perhaps a sword.

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u/herrwaldos 1 points 2022-12-21 14:05

Maybe the eyes were meant to be painted on - like on Lego figurines. It does look like a Lego figurine - there are a lot of warrior Lego figurines too, with removable helmets: /media/zqxjw5/51HAmAE-J2L._AC_SX425_.jpg

Perhaps there was meant to be a spear in his right hand, and maybe some objects are missing, that were meant to be under his left arm.

I think, it is just a way sitting, maybe he is doing some meditation, maybe just sitting.

I think Lego - is not just toys, and toys are not just toys - it is a kind of Ideology, religious training, indocrination - Cops vs Bandits, Warriors vs Daemons or Skeletons etc etc.

Girls get cute animals and cabriolets and are always driving to or from the beach: /media/zqxjw5/lego-friends-41421-na-ratunek-sloniatku-4.jpg

Lego is meant to be believed-in and played-out in life, like the that Mayan statue perhaps too.

Perhaps that's why this artwork is so unsettling: /media/zqxjw5/bb1_libera1.jpg

Boys catch the other ... bad boys, so on and so on. I want my hippie acid tripping reject buddhist dharma bum Lego, where is it? ;)

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u/danl999 4 points 2022-12-20 20:49

Or it might just have held Mayan toothbrushes in the hand on the left.

Because it was a Mayan Dentist.

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u/Paco-loves-tacos87 2 points 2022-12-21 01:37

The og stormtrooper

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u/Ok-Assistance175 1 points 2022-12-21 01:37

That might not be a helmet, but some kind of bowl/pail
designed for a specific use, perhaps for harvesting tree sap for latex.