Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
Mexican Maya Revival Cast Plaster Calendar Plaque
By:Unknown workshop production
Style:Maya Revival / Pre-Columbian-inspired souvenir art
Origin:Mexico (Yucatán/Chiapas region, likely)
Materials:Cast plaster or ceramic with oxide/antiquing wash; metal display stand
Age:Late 20th to early 21st century (circa 1990s–2010s)
Condition:Very good (light shelf wear, no visible chips or cracks)
Value:$15-$40
Maker's Marks / Writing:No maker’s mark observed; ring of decorative Maya-style glyphs only.
Date:2025-09-04 02:01:14.661517
Description:
Round decorative plaque with a kneeling Maya-style figure in low relief at center, surrounded by a ring of pseudo-hieroglyphic cartouches reminiscent of the Maya calendar. Executed in off-white cast material with a reddish-brown antiquing wash to accent the relief. Presented on a modern black scroll metal stand. The carving is molded and symmetrical, typical of late 20th–21st century tourist/decorative production rather than an excavated artifact.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a modern decorative plaque inspired by Maya iconography, likely produced for the tourist and home-decor market in Mexico or neighboring regions. The uniform molding, consistent surface coloration, lack of burial patina or encrustations, and presence of a contemporary display stand all indicate recent manufacture. Attractive as decor, but it does not appear to be an ancient artifact and has modest secondary-market value.
Individual Images:
whole item
Provenance:
None provided.
Condition:
Very good (light shelf wear, no visible chips or cracks)
Identification Score: 92%
High confidence due to characteristic molded relief, ring of pseudo-glyphs, and common souvenir form seen in Mexican craft markets. Coloration and stand are consistent with contemporary decorative plaques.
Authenticity Score: 10%
Very low likelihood that this is an ancient Pre-Columbian piece: the surface is uniformly cast, edges are clean, and there is no excavation wear or mineral accretion typical of genuine artifacts. The glyphs appear decorative rather than epigraphically accurate. A word about fakes.. Pre-Columbian artifacts are heavily faked, and many molded plaques are sold as ‘Maya calendar’ pieces; unless scientific provenance and archaeological context are present, such items should be assumed modern.
Image Memory Note
Primary image shows a circular plaque approximately 12–14 inches in diameter (estimated by comparison to shelf), displayed on a black metal scroll stand. Material appears off-white cast plaster or ceramic with a reddish-brown antiquing wash. Composition: central kneeling human figure in profile, with headdress/band and patterned armband/garment, holding or supporting a large rectangular glyph-like element on the back. Surrounding is a wide circular band populated by evenly spaced pseudo-Maya glyph cartouches; glyphs are consistent in depth and show mold repetition. Outer rim is plain. No visible signature, stamp, or inscription on the front. No view of the reverse. Condition: surfaces appear intact with minor surface rubs; no cracks or chips noted; slight darkening where the stand contacts the lower rim. Background shows a wooden shelf and white wall; no other related items or paperwork in view.
Share: