SOLD Antique Terracotta Mayan Jaina Rattle (1368BHR) SPECIAL PRICE

Description

Jaina, a small island in the Mesoamerican Mexican state of Campeche on the Yucatán Peninsula’s Gulf coast, is separated from the mainland by only a tidal inlet and is referred to as the “Island of Kings.”  During the Late Classic Maya period (550 – 900 CE), Jaina had a locally specialized burial cult for terracotta figurines to place human images with the deceased in graves. Small figurines were made hallow using a bivalve mould and filled with clay pellets to serve as rattles, although most rattle balls deteriorated. Some male figures had holes so they could be used as whistles or ocarinas. Figures were made in Campeche for regional and long distance trade and were transported to Jaina and placed in the hands of the departed atop their stomach with other ritualistic terracottas and utensils. (Boyd, p. 330) Recent research has questioned the assumption Jaina statues were exclusively used for only elite burials. McVicker claims they were used for funerary rituals and household items for all classes and “… it is possible many figurines were given as a gift and became part of household shrines and rituals, gaining an aura of sacredness before they followed their stewards into their graves.” (p. 227-228) Others say this was a relaxing of central control by authorities and a shift to trade reliance during Jaina Phase II (800-1000 CE) when making figures was commercialized and used by the masses and the elite. Castillo claims, “…societies producing and consuming Jaina-style figurines flourished during the time of change and innovation that marked the end of the Late Classic period….” (cited in McVIcker, p 229)

Sources

Mildred Boyd, “The Jaina Figurines- Chahpala,” McVicker, Donald. “Figurines are US?  The Social Organization of Jaina Island, Campeche, Mexico.”

McVicker, Ancient Mesoamerica, 23 no. 2(2012) p. 211-34  Cambridge University Press, in jstor.org