Seated Female Figurine Whistle with Necklace

Date

600-900

Creator

This is an iconic example of a Jaina-style Maya figurine depicting a woman sitting cross-legged. These figurines help us understand the different popular hairstyles as well as types of textiles that would have been worn, and are created with such detail you can see patterns in the fabric. This seated woman wears a long skirt and a huipil (tunic) that was once painted a vibrant Maya blue. She wears a beaded necklace, ear spools, and bracelets most likely made of jade or possibly shell, indicating her high status. The figurine is also a whistle, with the mouthpiece located on her exposed shoulder. It is possible the sound of the instrument represented the voice of the depicted person.