Detail of the King Yuknoom Stele in the Metropolitan Museum, December 2022

Title: King Yuknoom Took’ K’awiil

Artist: Sak[...] Yuk[...] Took’

Artist: Sak [...] Yib'ah Tzak B’ahlam

Date: 731

Geography: Mexico, Calakmul

Culture: Maya

Medium: Limestone

Dimensions: H. 11 ft. 7 in. × W. 64 9/16 in. × D. 31 7/8 in. (353 cm, 164 cm, 81 cm)

Classification: Stone-Sculpture

Credit Line: Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City, Secretaría de Cultura–Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia

Accession Number: SL.2.2022.13.3

One of the finest surviving stelae from Calakmul, an impressive city that competed against Tikal for regional primacy, this monument depicts one of that kingdom’s last great rulers, Yuknoom Took’ K’awiil. Clothed in resplendent finery, he wears a long cape, an elaborate pectoral, and a serpentine headdress that reveals his curly hair. He grasps a spear in his right hand and stands on a captive, a visual convention for representing military prowess. His royal name links him with the lightning god K’awiil, underscoring his close connection with godly power. The finely incised text to the left of the king’s face records the names of the two sculptors.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/820323