Mayan Profile Hand Carved Cedar Wood Warrior Eagle Jaguar Chichen Itza Mexico

  

The piece was hand carved from Mayan artisans outside of Chichen Itza. It is 13" x 10" x 3. ME:::::Thank you for interest in this item. My name is Mateo, and I have been traveling to Yucatán, Mexico for over 10 years. I started as an undergraduate Anthropology student studying the economics of tourism within the Maya heritage site - Chichén Itzá.

I spent my days building a relationship with the many vendors and artisans through Chichén Itzá and observing and learning about their business. My time as an Anthropologist has ended but my relationship with the artisan in and around Chichén Itzá continues today. MAYA MASKS:::::::All the masks that I sell are genuine handmade masks. They are all unique (although many are similar in design).

The masks are often made by one or two artisans - a carver and the detailer. The tree is cut into parcels and then the size and types of pieces is decided. The carver then spends the next feeds days chopping away with various tools to get basically the finished product. However, for various reasons, the carver often sells the piece to a detailer/vender. This person uses tools add some detail, such as sharp lines of a design on warriors faces, sands the mask, stains, and paints it.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE;:::::::::::Artistry is an economic industry that helps support not just the people who sell masks in Chichén Itzá, but people who live in much smaller rural, indigenous neighboring towns. Artisans are proud of the work as this allows them to provide for the family.

I dreamt of a way to help open the industry to other customers besides visiting tourist. My dream has not quite come true but this is a small way I can help expand the industry. ARTIST:::::::The piece for sale was created by a good friend name Balo.

Balo grew up in the closest town to Chichén Itzá and is a first language Maya speaker. If often gets a good laugh at my continued inability to perfect the language.

Any questions about the piece or the tales behind it, please ask! I have many other pieces and would be happy to do a package deal.