At la Pinacothèque de Paris, from 26 January 2012 to 10 June 2012

The Jade Masks of The Mayas

The Pinacothèque continues its exploration of Pre-Columbian and Meso-American cultures. Following the success of the exhibition The Incas’s Gold : Origins and Mysteries, the Pinacothèque de Paris is showing the most important archeological discovery of the past decade in Mexico : masks made of jade mosaic. These outstanding masks, entirely restored by the most eminent specialists in Mayan archeology, represent the deities’ faces. Created for the governors of the most prestigious lost Mayan cities, they had the mission to ensure eternal life to these dignitaries after their death.

So far, about fifteen masks have been found, most of which are on display at the Pinacothèque de Paris. This extremely rare ensemble, which Mexico has exceptionally agreed to show outside its frontiers, shall be exhibited alongside about one hundred works which are leaving Mexico for the very first time. Thus, the Pinacothèque is offering an immersion into the sophisticated and mysterious cosmogony of that millennial culture.

The jade masks on display were found in the burial chambers of the Mayan elites. Part of the funeral masks represent the individualized features of the Mayan leaders. This is the case of the extraordinary mask of King Pakal on which the sovereign’s features are set forever. The meaning of the artefacts is facilitated by a rich contextual setting : the masks are shown alongside the rest of the funeral trousseau and comprise necklaces, earrings, pectorals, bracelets, ceramics as well other offerings. It is the first time, since their exhumation and their dispersal throughout various museums, that these works are brought together. Seven tombs of Mayan leaders have thus been reconstituted.

Quite a number of the masks on display also represent divinities from the Mayan pantheon which, like their mythical Inca ancestors, combined human, vegetal and animal features. Worn by the Mayan elite during ritual ceremonies, the masks allowed them to assume the deity’s features and thus accomplish his role as a mediator between the earthly and the heavenly spheres.

The ticket office
Full fee 10 €
Reduce fee* 8 €
Skip the wainting lines ! Buy your ticket online !
Full fee online 11,50 €
Reduce fee online* 9,50 €

 

Combined-ticket : two choice

• One exhibition of choice & The Collections

Full fee 17 €
Reduce fee* 13 €
Skip the wainting lines ! Buy your ticket online !
Full fee online 18,50 €
Reduce fee online* 14,50 €

 

• Two exhibitions of choice & The Collections

Full fee 10 €
Reduce fee* 16 €
This offer is temporarily unvailable online. You can buy your ticket at the museum.

Pinacopass
Annual Subscription 60 €


*Reduce fee (on presentation of a justifying document). For young people from 12 to 25 years olds, students, job seekers (document must be less than one year old), large families, Cartes Améthyste & Emeraude, Maison des artistes, people with reduced mobility, conference guides and lecturers, fine and visual art professors, accompanying persons Pinacopass.
Free (on presentation of a justifying document) Childrens less than 12 years ago, journalists (with press card), ICOM, RSA, ASS and seniors, conderence guides and teachers with a group reservation, invalidity card-holders.

Know more about fee ? >

know more

• - Getting here : Visit and Contact
• - Download : The Press Kit

To go farther