Maya artists used basalt, obsidian and silex
chisels, mallets and hammers made of flint and
wood, and obsidian knives to produce their
sculpture. With these tools they carved blocks of
lime stone that were taken to the site of the
monument with ritual, mythical historical and
symbolic motifs, usually accompanied by calendar
glyphs.
Their sculptures show the typical symbolism of
Maya culture that in time gave the buildings an
air of serenity, balanced proportions, dimension
and depth. They depicted deities, governors and
priests wearing elaborate costumes, and various
personalities.
Stele mark important dates; carved monoliths and
different sculptures were placed in squares,
courts and temple entrances. Designs were also
carved on vertical walls, columns, lintels and
ceremonial chambers.
In the early Classic, stele were carved with human
figures, both full face and in profile, and
different zoomorphic figures. Clay figurines were
at first coarse, such as those produced in 1st and
2nd centuries AD, but gradually became more
refined, until they reached the degree of
perfection shown by those from the island of Jaina
in Campeche.
Figures were produced later in wood, and then in
stone, stucco, obsidian and jade. In Classic
period, human figures are usually shown on foot
and in profile; later, seated figures were made.
The peak was reached during the Flowering of
Classic period.
When the Collapse came, artistic expression
declined and sculpture became purely decorative to
be followed by influence from Toltec culture in
Yucatan shortly afterwards. During Post Classic,
there was slight reawakening in sculpture, though
generally speaking it did not reach the importance
it had in earlier periods.
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