mayan warrior

Working with recycled palo blanco and trumpet tree wood, Guatemalan artisan Julio Molina creates a pair of dangle earrings that make an ecological statement. Two red squares are crafted from the wood, featuring the cutout image of a Mayan warrior. These earrings swing from hooks of sterling silver. Says the artisan, "I being able to create these earrings. They are totally unique. I believe that with these pieces we can be conscious of the great cutting of trees that is affecting our ecosystem."

Oscar Rodolfo Mendoza celebrates the art of the ancient Maya with the original design of this ceramic jar. Decorated with a jaguar's head on the lid and classic glyphs on the body, the jar is crafted by hand with the same ceramic techniques developed by the Maya Pibil people. Little is known about them, other than that the Pibil were a warrior and migrant community that came to El Salvador from Mexico. This jar is treated to achieve an antiqued look, featuring red and orange hues obtained from achiote seeds.

The richly adorned image of a Maya woman suggests his royal lineage in an original vase from Oscar Rodolfo Mendoza. Detailed in high relief, the ceramic vase is also adorned with traditional motifs attributed to the Maya Pibil people. Little is known about them, other than that the Pibil were a warrior and migrant community that came to El Salvador from Mexico. This jar is treated to achieve an antiqued look, featuring red and orange hues obtained from achiote seeds.

The richly adorned face of a Maya man suggests his royal lineage in an original vase from Oscar Rodolfo Mendoza. Detailed in high relief, the ceramic vase is also adorned with traditional motifs attributed to the Maya Pibil people. Little is known about them, other than that the Pibil were a warrior and migrant community that came to El Salvador from Mexico. This jar is treated to achieve an antiqued look, featuring red and orange hues obtained from achiote seeds.

"I depict a fearless jaguar against a starry sky. This is one of the most beautiful animals that exist — strong, powerful, with a profound gaze," Marina Pallares confides. Working in black and white, she creates a small-scale linoleum block print. The feline held a special place in many Mesoamerican cultures. A resident of the Yucatan peninsula, the small spotted cat was venerated by the ancient Maya, who called it Balam. The renowned Aztec Jaguar warriors, an elite infantry comprised of pre-Hispanic noblemen, wore helmets in the shape of the jaguar, or oceotl. And the Olmec "were-jaguar" — half human, half cat — is a recurrent theme in their art.