A Maya Seated Nobleman, Jaina, Late Classic, ca. A.D. 550-950

the Ahaw or "Lord " in regal attire, his face bearing age lines with swelling lower lids under large almond-shaped eyes, the mustached full lips curled upward showing teeth, and wearing a large deer's headdress secured by thick fillet headband, ear ornaments, and pendant pierced with the ik symbol and trimmed by large jade beads, the fluffy cape draped over his torso revealing strong pectorals, and with a long apron with crenelated border. 

Stendahl Gallery, Los Angeles
Acquired from the above in the late 1960s

This mature statesman exudes a forceful and calm demeanor, reinforced by wearing emblems of authority and status. The neck ornament is a "wind jewel," a jade pendant carved with the ik glyph, which symbolized breath or vital essence, and sometimes was the ornament of Kawiil (Miller and Martin 2004: 70, and pl. 25). His tufted cape may be the kapok pods of the ceiba tree, recognized by the Maya as the cosmic axis mundi, uniting heaven, earth, and the Underworld. Maya kings and the elite aligned themselves with this sacred emblem as the ultimate symbol of divine right. For this type of lord as depicted on two polychrome vessels, see Miller and Martin (2004: pl. 105), in which the warrior king is receiving tribute and prisoners.