Terracotta, Late Classic Maya, Jaina, Campeche or Yucatán, Mexico, AD 650–800

Collection: The Art Institute of Chicago

This terracotta figure depicts a Maya warrior holding a rectangular shield in one hand; the original wooden spear has been lost.

The carefully rendered facial features, along with traces of scarification, tattoos, and pigment, suggest that the sculpture portrays a high-ranking or distinguished military leader.