The Mayan



The original stone was a slice of bedrock from Stonehaven's quarry that was near the top of a grout pile (a heap of discarded stones from the quarry operation). The narrow, triangular wedge had an interesting upsweep suggesting a helmet or headdress. Not all steps were documented, but here are a few that were.



Birth of The Mayan



The Mayan - On display at Open Sky / NESA "Inside & Out Sculpture Exhibition" in January 2024, with the sculptor.



The raw stone after scoring the basic outline of eye and mouth, still with its forest patina and lichen.



Testing to see if it would stand on its rather slender base. A thick tongue suggested itself.



Roughing in the eye socket, cheekbone and upper lip.



Transferring the general design from left side over to right. Left cheek is plump, suggesting plenty, sunken right cheek suggest ravage.



Adding feathers to the headdress and shaping the tongue, lower lip and crown. The sandbag helps to hold the piece still while grinding.



The sunken right cheek is scored and scarred, representing the ravages of war, famine and the collapse of civilization.



There was also a defect in the stone of the nasal area, which led to a blunt nose broken in battle.



The eyes and headdress crown suggest a focus hunter, a hawk spotting its prey.



The back features the feathered headdress, a tattoo and chevrons indicating a warrior of rank.



Mounted on a reclaimed piece of a PSL beam, and showing the effects of polishing the tongue, eyes and headdress crown.



On display at the exhibition.





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