Detail of a Mayan Plate in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, December 2022

Title: Codex-style plate

Date: 680–740

Geography: Guatemala or Mexico

Culture: Maya

Medium: Earthenware, paint, slip

Dimensions: H. 2 5/16 × Diam. 12 5/8 in. (5.8 × 32 cm)

Classification: Ceramics-Vessels

Credit Line: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Gift of Landon T. Clay

Accession Number: SL.2.2022.2.1

The Maize God emerges from the split carapace of a turtle swimming in dark waters, like a plant sprouting from the earth. His flawless appearance contrasts with that of his attendants: the young solar god Juun Pu’w is covered with black pustules, while the god watering him like a maize sprout—the lord of wild animals—has patches of jaguar pelt. Painted by a master of the codex style (so-called for its resemblance to Maya painted manuscripts), the scene refers to the origin of maize.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/820256