HANDICRAFTS IN THE MUNDO MAYA

The creativity of the inhabitants of the Mundo Maya reflects in the sheer variety of handicrafts they produce. It is a rich fusion of Old and New World forms, materials, colors and techniques. The modern-day Maya may no longer build vast temples and ceremonial centers, but their designs, handed down through the generations, reveal their strong links with the past.

    Maya artisans, both ancient and modern, have always exploited natural materials available in the region. For centuries, the Maya have woven the fronds of native palms and rattan vines to make baskets, hats and hammocks; worked wood from the vast forests and jungles in myriad different ways; carved fabulous stelae and sculptures from great blocks of stone; and mounted locally-mined amber and jade into finely-crafted gold and silver pieces.

    The Spanish Conquest (sixteenth century) brought an injection of European influence to the peninsula. The Spaniards introduced wool and treadle looms, taught Maya women the art of embroidery and Catholic symbols became widely used along with with Maya motifs. Filigree work encouraged Maya smiths to reach new heights in jewelry making, and the Spaniards themselves were caricatured on carved wooden masks used by the Maya in ceremonial dances.

    We invite you to click on the images below to learn more about some of the most beautiful handicrafts of the Mundo Maya:

WOODEN MASK
GUATEMALA
Forests abound in the Mundo Maya, and artisans employ a variety of hard and soft woods to craft carved items. Used since pre-Hispanic times—in dances performed during religious festivals—masks can take the form of Maya deities, Catholic saints, Spanish conquerors or even animals, like this jaguar.

POT PAINTED WITH WARRIORS
BELIZE
The ancient Maya were skilled artists, decorating even utilitarian pots with animals or colorful scenes of Maya life. Growing interest in the history and culture of the ancient Maya has created a demand for replicas of ancient pots and sculptures. Many potters and carvers are so skillful that only experts can tell an ancient piece from a copy.

INCENSE BURNER
BONAMPAK, MÉXICO
Nearly 1,500 years old, this pot was fashioned during the Classic period (A.D. 250-900) and was probably used to burn copal or incense during religious ceremonies. Originally painted in a dazzling array of colors, the imagery of the pot shows a god rising above Man and, representing the underworld, a blue jaguar.

CARVED WOODEN PANEL
QUINTANA ROO, MÉXICO
Although the ancient Maya carved lintels, sculptures and figures from wood, few items have survived to this day. Skills and techniques, however, have been passed down through the generations. This carved panel features a strange looking man, probably representing the Maya god Itzamna, Lord of the Heavens.

RED CLAY VIRGIN AND CHILD
GUATEMALA
After the Conquest in the early 16th century, Maya artisans were forced to channel their creative forces into the production of religious art for the Europeans, instead of their traditional designs. Tiny Nativity scenes, often only five centimeters tall, and representations of Biblical scenes are still made using red clay.

WOODEN MODEL GALLEONS
CAMPECHE, MEXICO
Mahogany, from which this swordfish is carved, along with other precious woods from the forests of the state of Campeche in Mexico, has been exploited for centuries. It was also part of the booty that first attracted pirates to the city of Campeche. Local craftsmen use it to carve pieces with a nautical flair, for example, fish, shrimp and boats. After the Spanish Conquest, vast galleons, like these models, carried cargoes of hardwood back to European markets.

TZOTZIL MAYA WEAVER
CHIAPAS, MEXICO
The Maya weavers from the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala pass on a pre-Hispanic tradition when they give young girls a small spindle and a weaving stick to prepare them for a life of weaving. The girls are instructed to pray for inspiration. Mothers teach their daughters how to weave from an early age—as this one is doing—using historic techniques and designs.

CARVED WOODEN TOUCAN
BELIZE
In an effort to conserve what is left of the jungle, several non-governmental organizations have recently undertaken sustainable development projects in a number of communities in Belize, central Quintana Roo and northern Guatemala. Their goal is to promote the use of deadwood and encourage artisans to take inspiration from the animal and bird life surrounding them.

SILVER FILIGREE
YUCATAN, MEXICO
Mined in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times, the use of silver reached its decorative peak with the introduction of the filigree technique by the Spanish. Few silversmiths still make filigree pieces in the Yucatan, although efforts have been made to revive the craft.

WOVEN TEXTILE
CHIAPAS, MEXICO
Symbols and motifs used in Maya weaving are generally based on stylized versions of animals, plants or even the Maya view of the cosmos. The lozenge shape above symbolizes the universe with the four cardinal points. Often weavers use designs that come to them in dreams. Each community has its own particular symbol, for example, a bat, butterfly or monkey, and weavers will always incorporate their symbol in a design. Different communities also have their own distinctive garments and colors.

WOVEN BASKETS
There is an infinite variety of baskets woven from plant fibers in the Mundo Maya, ranging from giant wicker baskets, like this one from Honduras, to dainty straw handbags. The availability of sheer palm species and other natural materials, like cane and wicker, has made it the most widely practiced craft in the region.