This work of art, an ancient sculptor’s mold,
grants us a unique insight into the creative
process of Mayan artists. Such a mold would
have been used in the fabrication of small
terracotta sculptures. Pressed into the wet clay,
the intricately carved pattern of the mold would
be replicated. The highly detailed pattern of the
interior belies the soft curves of the abstract
exterior. This particular mold replicates a
human face, perhaps that of a king or shaman.
The large nose is the most prominent feature, in
addition to the slightly open, frowning mouth
and eyes with their clearly defined pupils. Who is
this person? We can only guess. From the
carefully groomed hairline, we can at least
extrapolate that he was someone of high rank
within the Mayan social hierarchy. This face
would have presumably been attached to a larger
body while still wet. It is possible that a generic
body was used for several different faces; it is
also possible that a specific body was intended
to be joined with this face only. This little mold,
as functional as it is, was once used to create
images of gods. That sacred idols worthy of
worship could be created from this mold implies
that the mold itself has some inherent power.
Clearly, in the hands of a master sculptor, this
mold has the power to embody the gods. Today,
this mold is a relic of ancient artistry,
transplanted from an ancient Mayan workshop
into our hands, linking us directly with the
creative process of long forgotten sculptors.
- (PF.6104)
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