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

the mature and contemplative lord poised on the edge of a tall openwork cylindrical drum or dais, his head turned to the right and looking down as if observing a ceremony or audience, his distinctive face with signs of age around the mouth, slightly pursed lips, almond-shaped eyes with wearied lower lids, and prominent nose, his right arm folded beneath the fragmentary left arm, wearing sandals, wraparound loincloth with stepped edge, belt tied and knotted at the back, large jade bead necklace with counterweight ties, and earflares, the tall supple headdress with peaked brim and three cupped floral medallions,  the dais stippled overall perhaps indicating animal skin, and trimmed overall with large tassels, areas of blue pigment remaining. 

Jay C. Leff Collection
Sotheby's, May 12, 1983, lot 25, consigned by the above
Private Virginia collection, acquired from the above auction
Sotheby's, New York, May 2, 1990, lot 109, consigned by the above

Brooklyn, Ancient Art of Latin America, from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, The Brooklyn Museum, November 22, 1966-March 5, 1967
Charlottesville, The Bayly Art Museum, University of Virginia, 1983

Elizabeth Kennedy Easby, Ancient Art of Latin America, from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, The Brooklyn Museum, 1966, no. 478

Excellent condition overall; figure does appear to have a thin line of fill at the attachment to the stool, loss on headdress as shown.
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 ceramic figures provide the most intimate three-dimensional portraits of noblemen and women of the 6th-9th c. Figurines have a broad geographic range, but the most refined and detailed are referred to as Jaina, named for the concentration of figures from the small island off the Campeche coast. Figures were placed in group assemblages that recorded rites of passage, ritual events and accession ceremonies. Most were made by a combination of molded elements with hand-modeled details. Current research suggests that some figures are portraits of individuals, not simply representations of a class or a type of noblemen and women.

This sculpture is one of a small group of seated figures exceptional for their compelling, poignant expressions. It is possible this nobleman is the same individual shown in a similarly relaxed posture on a rectangular throne with both hands resting on the edge (Groth Kimball 1960: pgs. 5, 6). These aged wise men share the distinctive nose and contemplative expression. The kilt and loincloth of the subject figure has a finely stepped hem, also seen in a modified form on the figure cited above. This stepped-hem kilt may be the same type worn by the seated ah k'u hun, or scribe on the small polychrome vase in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection (see mayavase.com, K4338).
For other figures seated on thrones or benches, one on a rounded effigy throne in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, see mayavase.com/portfolio, K 5787. For three examples of elites seated on rectangular thrones, see Schele and Miller (1986: colorplates 3 and 4), and Coe (1973: Fig. 80) for a figure exhibited at the Grolier Club in 1973.