Applied Arts and Body Decoration
Textiles from the Classic period have not survived, but Maya art provides detailed information about their appearance and, to a lesser extent, their social function. Cloths were made of cotton; both men and women could wear turbans. Daily costume depended on social standing. Costumes worn on ceremonial occasions and during the many festivities were highly expressive and exuberant; animal headdresses were common. The most elaborate costume was the formal apparel of the king, visible on his stelas, with numerous elements of symbolic meaning.
Wickerwork, only known from incidental depictions in sculptural and ceramic art, must once have been ubiquitous; the well-known pop ('mat') motif testifies to its importance.
Body decorations often consisted of painted patterns on face and body, but could also be of a permanent character marking status and age differences. The latter type included artificial deformation of the skull, filing and incrustation of the teeth, and tattooing of the face.
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