Mayan Seated Female in the Metropolitan Museum, December 2022

Title: Seated female

Date: 7th–9th century

Geography: Mexico

Culture: Maya

Medium: Ceramic, pigment

Dimensions: H. 16 3/8 × W. 9 1/4 × D. 7 in., Approx. 5.5 lbs (41.6 × 23.5 × 17.8 cm, Approx. 2.5 kg)

Classification: Ceramics-Sculpture

Credit Line: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Pre-Columbian Collection, Washington, DC.

Accession Number: SL.2.2022.22.2


Ceramic figurines provided artists with opportunities to depict lively, sometimes sexually suggestive mythical episodes. Women were depicted individually or interacting with others.

A mouthpiece in the back turns these hollow figurines into whistles. Their pigments include Maya blue, obtained through the chemical combination of indigo with a special kind of clay.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/843774