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Item Report
Mexican Maya Revival Ceramic Calendar Plaque
By:Unknown workshop; souvenir/artisan production
Style:Maya Revival / Mexican Folk Art
Origin:Mexico (Yucatán/Chiapas region, probable)
Materials:Molded ceramic (earthenware/terracotta) with iron-oxide or sepia wash; unglazed matte finish; metal display stand
Age:circa 1980–2005
Condition:Very good (clean surface; no obvious chips or cracks on the face; reverse not shown and not officially evaluated)
Value:$20–$60 (auction/liquidation estimate)
Maker's Marks / Writing:No maker’s mark or inscriptions visible on the photographed side.
Date:2025-09-04 02:00:05.309152
Description:
Round molded plaque with a cream-to-terracotta wash, featuring a kneeling figure in Maya style at center and a surrounding ring of cartouche-like day glyphs. Likely a late 20th-century decorative or tourist piece meant to evoke the Maya calendar. Presented on a black scrolled metal display stand.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This appears to be a modern decorative plaque inspired by Classic Maya iconography rather than an archaeological artifact. The uniformly molded details, consistent surface wash, lack of burial patina or mineral accretion, and the generic ring of repeated glyphs are all typical of late 20th-century souvenir production from southern Mexico/Guatemala. As such, it is collectible as folk/decorative art but not ancient. A word about fakes.. Mesoamerican antiquities are heavily forged; claims of great age should be treated skeptically unless supported by secure provenance and, for ceramics, TL (thermoluminescence) testing.
Individual Images:
Single image shows the plaque on a black scrolled stand. The surface has a uniform cream body with reddish-brown wash pooled in recesses
highlighting incised/molded glyphs. Edges appear sharp and even
suggesting a modern mold. No visible kiln grit
mineral accretion
or repair lines. No visible maker’s mark from the front; the reverse is not shown
which limits inspection of mounting holes
signature stamps
or firing marks.
Provenance:
None provided.
Condition:
Very good (clean surface; no obvious chips or cracks on the face; reverse not shown and not officially evaluated)
Identification Score: 88%
The subject matter (Maya-style kneeling figure and ring of day glyphs), material, and finishing are highly consistent with modern Mexican souvenir calendar plaques, so identification as a Maya Revival decorative ceramic is very likely.
Authenticity Score: 10%
Low likelihood of being an ancient Maya artifact due to mold-made uniformity, pristine edges, modern oxide wash, generic glyph sequence, and absence of excavation patina or museum-type provenance.
Image Memory Note
Object: circular molded plaque approximately 12–14 in. diameter (est.), cream-colored with terracotta/sepia wash. Central motif: a kneeling Maya-style male figure facing right, wearing a headdress and arm/leg ornaments; a broad strap crosses the forehead as if supporting a burden (tumpline). Surrounding ring: evenly spaced cartouche-like glyphs (about two dozen), each with simplified faces or abstract signs; glyphs are repetitive and stylized. Finish: matte, unglazed look with darker wash settling in recessed areas; highlights remain lighter. No visible cracks or chips on front; minor production pits and scuffs. Mount: black metal display stand with scroll feet. Background: wooden shelf, light-colored wall, wood floor. Text/marks: none visible on the front; reverse not shown. Notable features: uniformity of molding, clean edges, absence of burial patina; tourist/folk-art aesthetic.
Keywords
Maya Revival, Mexican folk art, ceramic plaque, calendar, glyphs, souvenir, Mexico
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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