Fine Maya Standing Figure of a Nobleman, Jaina Late Classic, ca. A.D. 550-950

the distinguished portrait of a mature statesman of strong stature, his oval face with prominent nose, furrowed eyes, and full lips, feet within cord sandals, his relaxed abdomen encircled by a finely pleated belt, the long loincloth to the ankles, his chest adorned with a triple row collar tied at the back, and centering a medallion with cascading pendant, his high forehead revealing shorn coiffure with a row of hair around the back of his neck, the elongated head once supporting a removeable headdress, a pierced support at the back of his waist for insertion of plume or backrack; with extensive remains of Maya blue pigment.

Joseph Haddad Collection, Los Angeles, acquired by 1976
Sotheby's, New York, November 18, 1991, lot 212

Overall excellent. As shown there is clearly loss of right arm, right earring, left hand and small areas of adornment under the belt and left shoulder. Wonderful detail, color and modeling overall.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Maya blue was a marker of sacred objects, a signature color used on elite figures, pottery, and murals. The extensive use of blue on this figure attests to the importance of the object and the stature of the figure portrayed. Maya blue was a complex clay mixture of indigo and the mineral palygorskite, resulting in a remarkably durable and resistant pigment. Its preparation required a long heating process, suggesting it was made during incense burning rituals. Recent trace element studies have identified the sources of palygorskite in the Yucatan and Peten regions, contributing to a debate over whether this prized color was found and manufactured in various locations in the Maya world, or was limited to sites under strict production control and then traded to other locales (Arnold, Neff, Glascock and Speakman 2007). 

This corpulent noblemen was further adorned with a removable headdress, supported on the extremely elongated head with the rear belt perforated for supports. For a similar figure, perhaps the same individual, see Richard Townsend, The Art of Tribes and Early Kingdoms, Selections from Chicago Collections, Art Institute of Chicago, January 12-March 4, 1984, fig. 67.