This jade mask represents an elderly figure and was discovered in the tomb of Pakal the Great, the renowned ruler of Palenque. Crafted during the 7th century AD in what is now Mexico, the mask exemplifies the Maya’s extraordinary skill in stoneworking.

Made from green jade, a precious material for the Maya, the mask is composed of carefully fitted pieces to form a lifelike face, highlighting features such as the pronounced nose, sunken eyes, and slightly parted lips.

The ears are adorned with rectangular jade inserts, reflecting the Maya practice of decorating important figures with earspools. The mask likely served a funerary and ritual purpose, symbolizing the transformation of the deceased ruler into a divine ancestor and ensuring his passage into the afterlife.

Its meticulous craftsmanship and enduring material underscore the Maya’s reverence for jade as a symbol of power, immortality, and spiritual significance.