CLICK on pictures for close up and details of art
On the far left, you can see me with Mesoamerican Archaeologist Dr. Richard Hansen. We hold a plaque I cut and carved of the Vision Serpent, out of maple, having just over 4,500 pieces. I mounted it on curly black walnut, approx. 3 feet by 2 feet. Richard was impressed because I cut the hieroglyphs so accurately he could read them. Shown also are two close ups showing details of the carving.
The last three pictures on the right show show my reproduction of the Tomb of Pacal Sarcophagus Lid inlaid in an exotic wood coffee table. This work simply stunned Dr. Hansen for its accuracy of detail. It looks like carved stone, but it's all hardwood maple. The Mayan artists were almost overly elaborate in their style, yet their art is some of the most intricate and fabulous of any in the world. The central pedastal of the coffee table is in 9 layers modeling the 9 layered pyramid the Mayan ruler Pacal was buried under. In the interior are three descending steps made from purple heart wood symbolizing the descent into the Xibalba, (pronounced - Shibalba), the place of death.
I cut and carved approx. 5500 pieces in the Pacal art piece from hard rock maple. The coffee table itself is made of exotics - bubinga, cocobolo, bloodwood, mahogany, paduk, purple heart, cherry, maple, and lacewood. It's weight is approx. 200 lbs., and is 5 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide.
Yes, I can cut this artwork smaller and lighter, as a wall plaque. It is one of the most popular Mayan pieces of art to have as a reproduction.