Ballplayer,

600–900

Ceramic figurines associated with the islands of Jaina and Uaymil, off the west coast of Campeche, Mexico, provide an exceptionally rich record of noble Maya costume and adornment, including variations related to gender and courtly position. Looters disinterred hundreds of such figurines, all presumably associated with burials. The works vary dramatically in terms of detail and mode of manufacture, with some meticulously shaped by hand, others pressed from clay molds, and yet others fabricated through a combination of molded and modeled components. Many of the figurines produce sound, as rattles filled with clay pellets or as whistles, some producing multiple tones. The sound likely served to enliven and spiritually animate the subjects of these works. Although archaeological data is limited, individuals were buried with one or a few figurines, but they do not generally accord with the status or gender of the interred.

The massive padding around the waist of this figure identifies him as a ballplayer. Players wore a body covering usually made from a thick layer of fabric or hide, topped by a U-shaped ribbed wooden element, painted blue, which was used to hit the ball. Hieroglyphic texts on other objects note that the heavy rubber balls, which were struck with the torso and hips, normally ranged from nine to twelve handspans in circumference, explaining the need for such extensive protection. The textile motifs decorating the figure’s loincloth are unusually detailed, with a cutout cross motif adorned with a knot at the center suggesting a sophisticated form of textile. The bird headdress may have been particular to his team.