450 ANNUAL REPORT SMITIISONIAlSr INSTITUTION, 1016. 



equally incomprehensible ; and the reason for this, as was afterwards 

 learned, is the fact that the figures on these faces are incomplete in 

 themselves, being continuations and appendages from the sculp- 

 tured figures of the upper surface, which, to be traced and under- 

 stood, must be approached by the student from that surface. 



The north face. — Proceeding to examine the work in detail, we 

 pass to the north face (pi. 3), and attention is at once directed to an 

 elaborately and elegantly costumed human figure, strongly yet deli- 

 cately carved, which occupies a central position in the broad face 

 of the block. The figure is seated, Buddha fashion, and presents a 

 placid and dignified mien. Including the headdress, it is about 

 7 feet in height. Although the features are somewhat mutilated, 

 they distinctly suggest a young and comely person, possibly a 

 female, although there appears to be some difference of opinion 

 among students on this point. 



Maudslay's drawing of this figure, reproduced in large part in 

 plate 4, gives to the face a delicacy and refinement somewhat at 

 variance with typical Mayan representations, and as a matter of 

 couree also fails to convey an adequate impression of the boldness of 

 the relief. The right hand grasps a ceremonial deface known as the 

 manikin scepter, doubtless significant of the office and dignity of the 

 personage represented, while the left supports a small, highly em- 

 bellished, shieldlike device or symbol. Joyce may be right in his sug- 

 gestion that the scepter is possibly a highly elaborated form of the 

 hatchet, the almost universal weapon of the Indian warrior and a 

 common sjanbol of authority. 



The costume is of superb design, testifying to the advanced state 

 of culture and refinement attained by the people of Quirigua. The 

 details are so elaborate as to defy adequate description, hence the 

 drawings- and photographs must be relied upon mainly to tell the 

 story. The headdress embodies a crownlike band over the forehead, 

 surmounted by a complex of grotesque masks with deep-set eyes 

 and vicious fangs and a maze of scrolls, plumes, and symbols, all 

 sculptured with a vigor and delicacy worthy of the masters of the 

 Orient. Connecting with the top of the headdress are two pairs of 

 strange appendages which extend to the right and left over the upper 

 margin of the stone; they are ornamented with incised checkerwork 

 jmd various devices in relief. A graceful necklace spreads over the 

 shoulders of the figure and expands across the chest into a broad 

 gorget, in the center of which is set a grotesque mask. The mask is 

 repeated at the waist, and from this the garb extends down over the 

 crossed legs in an apronlike arrangement embodying various serpen- 

 tine elements and sj^mbols, and terminating in radiating plumes. 

 The wristlets and ear ornaments are of usual Mayan types, the latter 

 extending out over the shoulders. 



