The Dunbarton Oaks Tablet - Palenque

These exquisite, perfectly-scaled, durable Hydro-Calcite reproductions of ancient Maya carvings are hand cast from molds of hand-carved limestone reproductions created by modern Maya artists in the Chiapas highland rain-forests in Palenque, Mexico. Each highly accurate piece comes with a descriptive card and is suitable for display on walls, tables, stands or gardens (indoor/outdoor finish). Included at no charge is your choice of wall hanger or display stand.

History: The majority of images at Palenque chronicle the geneology of the royal family. On this relief one of the kings of Palenque is depicted with his parents. His mother (at left) and his father (at right) hold family ?maniken? dolls, objects of spiritual significance passed from one generation to another. The presenation of these objects to the king by his parents validate his royal bloodline. However, in the Late Classic period of the Maya a king had to do more than inherit the throne to become a legitimate ruler. He also had to be a warrior who had proven himself in battle. This king holds an atalatl and spears in one hand and a pouch that contains the spoils of his victory in the other.