MAYAN EXHIBITION AT THE OCCIDENTE FINANCIAL GROUP

As a joint project of outreach, education and enhancement of the cultural heritage of the country, La Ruta Maya Conservation Foundation presents a selected collection of Mayan works of art in the lobby of the CORPORACION DE OCCIDENTE building, located on 7th Avenue 7-33 zone 9, Guatemala city. 

This effort began last October 2010 with the remodelation of the customer service areas and will continue with the exhibition of new Mayan objects during the years 2011 and 2012, which will change every six months to illustrate various topics on art and Mayan culture.

The current exhibition celebrates the Maya artists, although known for their monumental and beautiful buildings, they also practiced other arts that were of great importance.

The artist was a leading figure in Mayan society, usually related to the ruling family and the nobility. The artist was usually a specialized artisan and a craftsman prepared in various disciplines such as writing, calligraphy, calendrics, and the meaning and representation of symbols (iconography).

The exhibit consists of 34 objects, among them several ceramic vessels, figurines, musical instruments, a conch-shell carved with the image of a ruler, and a fine collection of clay stamps. The stamps, with varied forms of animals and other designs, were used in antiquity to print decorative designs on textiles and other surfaces.

The objects shown are dated from the Classic period (250-900 AD) and belong to the lowlands of El Petén, the Guatemalan Pacific coast, and the highlands.