This is one of the largest carved jade Maya plaques. It has been found in a large ceramic urn in an ancient Maya city close to the modern Ixil Maya town of Nebaj in the highlands of Guatemala. A large ceramic urn buried under a stairway held the riches cache offering at the site and included several jade plaques, among them this one. This jade plaque features a Maya king with a headdress based on the mask of a deity, sitting on a throne and leaning against a feathered cushion. The throne is adorned with three masks. The ruler pays attention to a little person to the left of the scene, who is shown with crossed arms, the sign of greeting and respect. At the sides of the plaque, heads yield maize plants, with heads emergent, which probably represent the young Maize God.
