Incensario (Incense Burner)

Made up of smoothed sheets and coils of coarse orange clay, this "incensario," or incense burner, depicts one of the Palenque Triad of deities that art historians call "GIII." The Maya called him Kinich Ajaw, or "Sun Lord." He is shown here with his trademark nose, and shell and fish symbols around his mouth. The stacking of faces is a hallmark of "incensarios" from the site of Palenque, where there was probably a workshop dedicated to their production. The potent effect of smoke and fragrance that would have risen from this visually provocative incense burner indeed reflects a Maya preference for ceremonial theatrics.