Guatemala South Coast Incensario

A pale ceramic incense burner shaped as a seated figure with large round ear discs and a beaded headdress. loading

This Early Classic Maya incensario (A.D. 300–600) was recovered from Guatemala's southern Pacific coast. Used to burn copal incense during religious ceremonies, vessels like this transformed fragrant smoke into offerings that connected the human and supernatural worlds. Housed in the Museo del Vidrio, Antigua, Guatemala.

Tags:
  • Archeology
  • Central America
  • Ceramics
  • Guatemala
  • Maya
  • Museo del Vidrio
Related Photos
  • Carved Maya limestone stela at Ceibal showing a standing ruler in an ornate headdress and ceremonial dress amid glyphs. loading
    Ceibal Stele 14
  • Weathered sandstone Maya stela at Quiriguá with three carved panels of hieroglyphs and figures against sky and foliage loading
    Quirigua Stela F Side Panels
  • Elevated view down the steep stepped stone terraces and stairways of a restored Maya pyramid at Yaxha, surrounded by jungle. loading
    Yaxha Pyramid
  • Steep tree-covered stone slope of the La Danta pyramid at El Mirador rising through dense jungle under a cloudy sky. loading
    El Mirador La Danta Upper Pyramids
  • Cream-colored Maya stucco frieze from El Mirador showing mythological Hero Twin figures swimming amid curling water motifs. loading
    El Mirador Hero Twin Stucco Frieze
  • Weathered Maya stone temple with a central stairway and thatch-sheltered stelae in a green jungle clearing at Ceibal, Guatemala. loading
    Ceibal Temple with Stelae