Ceramic | Terracotta | Fired Clay 

Caption

Import restricted since 1995.

Section 5f of Designated List in force since 1995.

Large Effigy Censers
Different varieties of censers whose common traits are their relatively large size and the prominent presence of elaborate effigies covering much or all of the censer body. In extreme cases, the censer is entirely concealed within a virtual ceramic sculpture. As an alternative to a single large effigy, some present several figures on a single censer, or a single element (like a head) repeated several times. Recorded effigies have included: the god Tlaloc (identifiable by a large ring around each eye); an individual with bulbous protruding eyes; the god Xipe Totec (appearing as an individual wearing a flayed human skin); jaguars; monkeys; iguanas; large saurians (so-called Earth Monsters), GIII (a manifestation of the Sun god identifiable by a twisted cord extending vertically between the eyes and catfish-like barbels curling from the sides of the mouth); and others. Mostly Late Classic and Postclassic periods.

Example shown: Teotihuacan-style Human Effigy Incense Burner, Late Classic period.

For import restrictions in force from 1987, see History of Import Restrictions below.