LOS BRASEROS DE TAPIJULAPA

Left: Full-figure Maya priest incense burner. Right: A mask design burner bearing no human features.

By Pilar Márquez / Photos byFernando Elizalde

The ancient Maya used ceramic vessels to burn incense, mostly for purification purposes. The discovery of a collection of sculpted vessels in a series of caves located in the Sierra region of southern Tabasco (Mexico) has prompted researchers to an in-depth study of these rare ceremonial objects.

    An extraordinary collection of 15 pieces dating to the Classic period (250-900 A.D:) is now on display at the Museo Regional de Antropologia e Historia de Tabasco. Villagers found the pieces in caves located in the Teapa and Tacotalpa townships. Researchers initially designated the vessels "urns", however archaeologist and museum director Rebeca Perales believes that they are braseros (incense burners). "Their cylindrical shape and the fact that they are open-ended suggests they were used to burn incense. An urn would require some kind of lid or top to prevent the ashes from spilling," said Perales.

    The braseros measure anywhere from 40-70 cm in height. They are sculpted with two or more faces created from characteristics both human and animal in nature. They have 'wings' or falanges which are in turn decorated with various sorts of glyphs, mythical beings and more wild animals.

    The braseros all have central figures seated or placed within jaguar masks or a bat-like mask called the zots. In Maya mythology, bats are the symbol of an underworld deity associated with death. Other symbols to be found here--all of which are linked to the underworld--are those for death (similar to our percent sign:%), the planet Venus (bands and points) and the jaguar.

    The quality of these sculptures is magnificent: the detailing is perfect and the symbolism consistent. The vessels were sculpted from reddish clay, then baked and painted Maya blue. The human figures are often those of old men, perhaps priests, with arms reach forward, palms up.

The figures are decked out in ceremonial gear replete with accessories denoting their respective rank. The vessels or braseros were clearly intented for ritual purposes.

     Figure 1. This piece is generally known as the "Urn of Teapa." It is one of the more spectacular examples of Maya ceremonial vessels. It features a priest posed within the mask representative of the sun god, surrounded by symbols used to express the exaltedness of his rank. The priest's dress is simple in contrast to his lavish headdress. The sides of the cylinder are ornamented with additional complex figures and imagery.

    Figure 2. This cylinder takes the form of a priest or minor god. A winged headpiece adorns its enormous head. Its mouth is wide open to reveal a huge tongue forked like a flor de lis. Its bulging eyes and large nose look like the features of an old man. His attire is covered with elaborate designs and symbols which denote his rank. This cylinder has only one wing with simple geometrical designs and its blue color is still discernible.

     Figure 3. This is an example of a mythical, underworld being. The central figure is that of an old man posed with the bat-like zots mask. Both the priest and zots have the symbol for death on their foreheads. The priest is dressed in a ceremonial costume, with headdress and a large beaded necklace. The 'x' on his apron represents the four cardinal points. His face and body are painted completely blue. Death symbols are sculpted on the side of the cylinder as well.

     Figure 4. Is known for the disproportionate size of the figure's hands and feet. The priest is wearing a jaguar mask and feathered cape; he has a decorative flap over his waist-cinch and a skirt with geometric designs and knee-length fringe. His turban is adorned with large pendants at the top and sides and his other adornments include earrings, a medallion necklace, bracelets and anklets.

    Figure 5. The dual nature of this piece--probably meant to be a young warrior--is apparent although the piece is incomplete. The body of the warrior forms the cylinder; he is shown with four claws, a big nose and tapered canines. He is wearing eye guards symbolic of the sun god.

    The title-page photo features vessels where the figure itself is the body of the burner and the falanges, like those on the figure to the left, are now the arms. Left: The figure--probably a priest--is wearing matching feather collar and headdress. The latter bears an owl, Maya symbol of darkness and the night. The owl is smiling and has human features--ears, moustache and a beard--elements not shown on any other piece in the collection. Right: This figure wears an owl headdress, though the human features are absent.