Mask of Death and Rebirth
The Maya belief in the never-ending cycle of life and afterlife is illustrated in this sculpture, with each layered face representing a specific stage of life. The inner face shows the beginning of life at birth. The middle face, considered the most important, represents the adult stage, while the outer face represents the end of earthly life. This sacred time was seen by the Maya as the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, with death being followed by lavish preparations for the next one. The original is from Tikal and dates to about 900 AD. Casting stone with an antique stone finish, standing 5.5” high. X 7.5” wide