Maya King Jaguar Bird Tapir in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, December 2022

Title: King Jaguar Bird Tapir

Date: early 7th century

Geography: Mexico, Chiapas, Tonina

Culture: Maya

Medium: Sandstone

Dimensions: 8 ft. 5 9/16 in. × 28 3/4 in. × 20 1/16 in., 881.8 lb. (258 × 73 × 51 cm, 400 kg)

Classification: Stone-Sculpture

Credit Line: Museo de Sitio de Toniná, Mexico, Secretaría de Cultura–Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia

Accession Number: SL.2.2022.20.3a–c


This vigorous portrait of King Jaguar Bird Tapir celebrates his worldly might and divine connections. Carved in deep relief characteristic of sculpture from Tonina, the ruler wears an impressively tall headdress composed of stacked masks representing supernatural beings. Centipede heads emerge from either side of the ceremonial bar in his arms, a ritual object often seen in royal portraits, while a snarling jaguar head graces his elaborate belt. Circular glyphs on the side of the monument describe Jaguar Bird Tapir’s accession to the throne. The portrait is the work of talented sculptors who served the Tonina royalty, and of scribes who kept detailed records of dynastic succession and the life events of kings and queens.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/820332?pkgids=804