Description
This handmade bark painting depicts a glyph from the Tablet of the Palace. In this glyph's design the figure on the left symbolizes the god of the number ten, whose sign is his headdress made of the skull of the god of Death. The fantastic figure on the right represents the bird Katun, which can also signify 20 years. Originally from the Palenque Museum in Chiapas.
Papel Amate, or Bark Paper, is a form of traditional Mexican paper with pre-Hispanic origins. Traditional bark paper was considered a specialty of the village shaman and was used for special rituals. The Nahua and Otomi tribes eventually began using bark paper as a canvas for traditional paintings. Typically the Otomi of Puebla painstakingly craft the paper out of fig tree or mulberry tree bark and then sell it to the Nahua of Guerrero for painting. These bark paintings, papel amate, are an art form unique to the indigenous tribes of Mexico, and are sure to add more depth and culture to your home decor.
