Notes of Middle American
Archaeology and Ethnology
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Division of Historical Research
No. 103
April 20, 1951
“Loop-Nose” Incense Burners in
the Guatemala National Museum
Stephan F. de Borhegyi
In July 1950 the Guatemala National Museum re-
ceived a donation from Don Guillermo Batres con-
taining many interesting archaeological specimens
which originally belonged to the private collection
of his brother, the late Lic. Carlos Batres. It is thought
that most of this material came from his property
which formerly constituted part of the great ar-
chaeological site of Kaminaljuyu on the outskirts of
Guatemala City. Numbered among the collection are
three incense burners of particular interest. These
were compared with three similar ones from the Die-
seldorff Collection of the Guatemala National Mu-
seum., with four in the Chichicastenango Museum,
and with four excavated by the Carnegie Institution
of Washington at Kaminaljuyu. They appear to form
a distinct type and I should like to designate them
“loop-nose” incense burners.
The two almost identical incense burners from
Kaminaljuyu used in this paper as type specimens,
one of which is illustrated here as Figure 103.1a–c,
were found when the top of an apparently Esperanza
phase mound at Kaminaljuyu was leveled. For this
and for other reasons to be discussed later, the
incense burners dealt with in this paper have been
assigned tentatively to the Early Classic period of
the Maya area. However, before going into any fur-
ther detail, a description of the five most characteris-
tic specimens will be given.
Figure 103.1a–c (Mus. No. 2709)
Collection: Excavated by the Carnegie Institution
of Washington.
438
Provenience: Kaminaljuyu, near Mound A (Kid-
der, Jennings, and Shook 1946:211, Fig. 86).
Paste: Unslipped, coarse reddish brown ware
tempered with minute mica particles.
Description: Two-chambered burner consisting
of a tall bell-bottomed lower part with basal molding
and a flaring sided receptacle. The division between
top and bottom is marked on the exterior by a plain
medial molding. A grotesque human face with ear-
and noseplugs is modeled on the lower part and is
flanked by two thin, rounded vertical flanges. The
flange is edged with a row of applied clay buttons.
Similar but pointed buttons have been applied to
the exterior rim of the receptacle, giving it a scal-
loped appearance. A highly conventionalized, pos-
sibly human, face has been modeled on the recep-
tacle above the lower face. It is characterized by two
rectangular eyes on either side of a large projecting
loop, giving the impression of a nose. Both eyes and
nose are bordered with rows of clay buttons and
the pupil of the eye marked by a larger applied clay
disc. A small x, modeled animal head is applied to
the middle of the “loop-nose,” the eyes of which are
represented by applied clay pellets. The receptacle
is also flanked by thin, rectangular, vertical side
flanges giving the impression of being the ears of the
conventionalized human lace. These are decorated
with clay rolls. The vessel is partly restored. Traces
of red and blue-black paint and traces of a thin white
wash are still visible. The interior of the receptacle
is smoked.
Dimensions: Ht. 23 cm, diam. 27.5 cm.
 “Loop-Nose” Incense Burners in the Guatemala National Museum
103.1. Loop-nose incense burners.
Comparative material: A two-chambered coarse
ware incense burner said to be from San Andres
Sajcabaja (Dept. of Quiche, Guatemala) similar
to this specimen but lacking the “loop-nose” is
illustrated by Lothrop (1936, Fig. 85). This incense
burner is now in the Chichicastenango Museum
(Mus. N o. 477) where it forms part of the Rossbach
Collection.
Figure 103.1d, e (Mus. No. 2337a)
Collection: Batres.
439
Provenience: Unknown, probably Kaminaljuyu.
Paste: Unslipped, coarse reddish brown ware
containing mica and quartz particles.
Description: Two-chambered burner with bell-
bottomed lower part and flaring-sided receptacle.
On the lower part is modeled a grotesque human
face with applied clay buttons representing nose-
plugs. The circular eyes were made by a deep, even
incision, possibly by a bone impression. On each side
of this face is a rounded flange bearing in its center
an applied bone impressed clay disc representing
an earplug. Above each flange is a small modeled
440 Stephan F. de Borhegyi
animal-head similar in many respects to the animal
head of Figure 103.1a, b.
The vertical side flanges on the wail of the recep-
tacle are now missing but long scars directly above
the lower flanges indicate their former presence and
position, Although the eyes of a conventionalized
face, such as observed on Figure 103.1a, b are pres-
ent, a “loop-nose” decorated with applied clay but-
tons protrudes from the wall of the receptacle. The
union of receptacle and lower part is marked on the
exterior by a medial molding bordered with project-
ing clay buttons. The rim of the receptacle was bor-
dered with rectangular projections, most of which
are now broken off, together with a portion of the
rim itself.
Traces of red paint and white wash are present
and the interior of the receptacle is smoked.
Dimensions: Ht. 21 cm, diam. 25 cm.
Figure 103.1f, g (Mus. no. 2337b)
Collection: Batres.
Provenience: Unknown, probably Kaminaljuyu.
Paste: Unslipped, coarse, reddish brown ware
containing mica and quartz particles. .
Description: Two-chambered incense burner
with bell-bottomed lower part and flaring-sided
receptacle. The lower part is undecorated.
A grotesque, modeled, flat human face with cof-
fee-bean eyes and nose- and earplugs is applied to
the wall of the re­ceptacle. On either side of the gro-
tesque face are applied small animal heads, similar
to those already described for Figure 103.1a–e. The
one remaining vertical side flange is dec­orated with
a clay roll in the form of a scroll. The rim of the recep-
tacle as well as the medial molding is decorated with
applied rectangular protuberances.
The conventionalized face, characterized by
rectangular eyes and “loop-nose,’ such as in Figure
103.1a–c, is missing but instead the modeled, realis-
tic though grotesque, human face is applied in such
a way, partly to the wall of the receptacle and partly
to the medial molding, that an opening reminiscent
of the loop is left between face and wall. A large por-
tion of the receptacle is missing.
Traces of white wash are visible on the exterior
of the entire vessel. The interior of the receptacle is
smoked.
Dimensions: Ht. 19.5 cm, diam. approx. 25 cm­.
Comparative material: A somewhat similar two-
chambered incense burner is in the Chichicastenan-
go Museum (Mus. No. 698). Unfortunately it is of
unknown provenience.
Figure 103.2a, b (Mus. No. 5841)
Collection: Dieseldorff.
Provenience: Unknown, possibly Alta Verapaz.
Paste: Unslipped, coarse brown ware contain-
ing mica and quartz particles.
Description: Two-chambered incense burner
consisting of a bell-shaped lower part and a flaring-
sided receptacle.
On the lower part is modeled a grotesque human
face with coffee-bean eyes and a large noseplug.
Originally an earplug had been on either side of the
face but one has since been broken off. Behind each
ear is a small thin vertical side flange. The division
between receptacle and lower part is marked by a
plain medial molding.
Although no eyes of a conventionalized face are
present, a “loop-nose” protrudes from the wall of
the receptacle and is decorated with rows of applied
circular clay buttons. The receptacle is flanked by
two rounded vertical side flanges decorated with
clay rolls in a manner similar to Figure 103.1a–c.
On either side of the loop were originally four small
modeled animal, heads, two now partly and one
entirely broken off. The rim of the receptacle is deco-
rated with applied rectangular clay protuberances.
No traces of a paint or wash are visible. The inte-
rior of the receptacle is smoked.
Dimensions: Ht. 23 cm, diam. 27.3 cm.
Figure 103.2c, d (Mus. No. 5324)
Collection: Dieseldorff.
Provenience: Unknown, possibly Alta Verapaz.
Paste: Unslipped, coarse brown ware contain-
ing mica and quartz particles.
Description: Two-chambered incense burner
consisting of a tall cylindrical lower part with basal
molding and a flaring sided receptacle.
On the receptacle is a highly conventionalized,
possibly human, face, with rectangular eyes bordered
with rows of clay buttons. The pupil is marked by
a larger applied clay disc. A large “loop-nose” with
similar decoration protrudes from the plain medial
molding, thus forming a bridge between the recep-
tacle and the otherwise undecorated cylindrical
lower part. This face is flanked by two rectangular
vertical side flanges. Below each flange is an applied
clay disc resembling an earplug and suggesting that
the; flanges may represent ears, as already seen to be
the case in Figure 103.1a–c. The rim of the receptacle
is decorated with applied pointed buttons, many of
which are now broken off.
 “Loop-Nose” Incense Burners in the Guatemala National Museum
Faint traces of red paint are still visible on the
exterior of the vessel. The interior of the receptacle
is smoked.
Dimensions: Ht. 24 cm, diam. 28.5 cm.
Comparative material: Another incense burner,
similar in many respects to the one just described but
more elaborately decorated, is illustrated by Lothrop
(1936, Fig. 84) and reproduced here as Figure 103.2e.
It is said to be from San Andres Sajcabaja (Dept.
Quiche, Guatemala). This specimen is now in the
Chichicastenango Museum (Mus. No. 588) where it
441
103.2. Loop-nose incense burners.
forms a part of the Rossbach Collection. (cf. also a
two chambered incense burner in the same collec-
tion, Mus. No. 298, which has a circular decoration
on the lower cylindrical part of the vessel similar
to that seen on Lothrop’s Fig. 84. It is of unknown
provenience.)
Although from different geographical locations
(Kaminaljuyu, San Andres Sajcabaja, and possi-
bly Alta Verapaz), it is obvious that the specimens
described here have a great many features in com-
mon. These may be listed as follows:
442 Stephan F. de Borhegyi
1. Two-chambers consisting of a tall bell-bot-
tomed or cylindrical lower part and a flaring-sided
upper receptacle, the latter used for the burning
of incense as indicated by the smoked interior: all
specimens.
2. Presence of a medial molding, ‘plain or deco-
rated, marking on the exterior the division between
receptacle and lower part: a. Plain molding: Fig.
103.2; Lothrop 1936, Fig. 85; b. Decorated molding:
Fig. 103.1; Lothrop 1936, Fig. 81.
3. Presence of a grotesque modeled human face
on the bell-bottomed lower part (one exception is
Fig. 103.1f, g in which it appears on the receptacle):
Figs, 103.1a–e; 103.2a, b; Lothrop 1936, Fig. 85.
4. Presence of a highly conventionalized, possi-
bly human, face on the flaring-sided receptacle, con-
sisting of rectangular eyes, projecting “loop-nose”
and flange-ears. All features are bordered with rows
of applied clay buttons or rolls. a. Projecting “loop-
nose” with eyes, Figs. 103.1a–c; 103.2c–e; Lothrop
1936, Fig. 85. b. Projecting “loop-nose” without eyes,
Figs. 103.1d, e; 103.2a, b.
5. Presence of small, applied animal heads, the
eyes of which are represented by small clay pellets.
Lothrop (1936:84) suggests that they may represent
birds’ heads: Figs. 103.1; 103.2a, b; Lothrop 1936, Fig.
85.
6. Presence of applied, pointed, rounded or rect-
angular protuberances from the rim of the flaring-
sided receptacle, giving the rim a scalloped-edge ap-
pearance: all specimens.
7. Presence of vertical, rounded or rectangular,
side flanges decorated with clay rolls or rows of clay
buttons: all specimens.
As can be seen, the most outstanding feature
characteristic of this group is the “loop-nose.” In
certain cases it definitely forms part of a conven-
tionalized, probably human, face although on other
incense burners its original meaning seems to have
been lost and it appears alone.
In Figures 1d, e and 2a, b the “loop-nose” is
placed di­rectly above the grotesque human face in
such a way that it gives the appearance of a head-
dress. This is especially noticeable in Figure 103.1d,
e. On this line of reasoning, fig­ures 103.3 and 103.4
appear here to show a probable later or parallel
development. The loop on these specimens appears
as a definite headdress and the abundant use of clay
buttons brings about a further resemblance to the
former group in spite of the fact that they are not
necessarily two-chambered.
Figure 103.3a–d (anthropomor-
phic incense burner found at
Kaminaljuyu, Mound A, Tomb VI,
Mus. No. 2485 [Kidder, Jennings, and
Shook 1946, Figs. 87, 201i, 207g]).
This elaborate and fragile specimen consists of a
two-chambered incense burner and a tall anthropo-
morphic cover. When found, the receptacle was filled
with ashes and charcoal. The cover of the incense
burner represents a seated figure wearing a tall loop-
headdress. The specimen comes from an Esperanza
phase tomb. (For color and detailed description see
Kidder, Jennings., and Shook 1946:210–12 and Fig.
207g) Total ht. 37 cm, diam. of receptacle 15.5 cm.
A similar incense burner represents a seated
Figure holding a shallow scalloped-edge pan over
its crossed knees (Lothrop 1936, Fig. 101). It is said to
have been found near Rabinal, Dept. Baja Verapaz,
and is now in a private collection in Germany.
Figure 103.3e, f (Mus. No. 5821;
Dieseldorff Collection)
This coarse, brown ware incense burner is believed
to have come from the region north of Coban in Alta
Verapaz (Villacorta 1938:261). The features of the
modeled effigy face of this tripod incense burner
bear, in spite of its realistically represented teeth,
a strong resemblance to those of Figures 103.1 and
103.2a, b. The “loop-nose” is here used as a head-
dress. The rounded, vertical side flanges bordered
by clay scrolls; and the rows of rounded or pointed
clay buttons outlining the “loop” and the rim, show
a further connection with the two­ chambered group
discussed earlier. The major difference is that the
flaring-sided receptacle rests on three hollow cylin­
drical feet instead of on a bell-bottomed lower part.
The specimen bears traces of red paint and white
wash. The interior of the receptacle is smoked. Ht. 25
cm, diam. 23.5 cm.
Figure 103.4a, b (Mus. No. 2351;
Batres Collection)
This tripod incense burner is said to be from Ka-
minaljuyu. It is made from a coarse, reddish brown
ware heavily tempered with quartz particles.
The vertical side flanges are edged with rows of
applied, perforated clay buttons. The finely modeled,
grotesque human face has an open mouth and the
103.3. Loop-nose incense burners.
103.4. Loop-nose incense burners.
 “Loop-Nose” Incense Burners in the Guatemala National Museum
upper canines are sharply pointed. The “loop-nose”
appears in the form of a protruding headdress en-
circled by a realistically modeled snake. Two similar
snake heads with applied pellet eyes protrude from
the earplugs on either side of the face. The fact that
these animal heads represent snakes suggests that
the small animal heads already described on the
two-chambered incense burners may also represent
conventionalized snake heads rather than birds as
proposed by Lothrop (1936:84). The hollow, cylindri-
cal feet of the incense burner are open at the bottom.
Traces of red and blue paint and white wash are
visible. The interior of the receptacle is smoked. Ht.
21 cm, diam. 19.5 cm.
Figure 103.4c, d (Mus. No. 7560; dona-
tion of Mrs. Norman Putnam
Ream of Greenwich, Connecticut;
purchased in Patzun, Dept.
Chimaltenango, Guatemala, but
of unknown provenience).
This two-chambered incense burner is of a coarse
brown warn containing mica and quartz particles.
The vessel consists of a slightly flaring-sided recep-
tacle with wide everted rim and a tall cylindrical
bottom part which is perforated at the back side. The
vertical side flanges as well as part of the rim are
now broken off.
The skillfully modeled human face with open
mouth, nose and earplugs, is applied to the bottom
part. The earplugs and a beard-like protuberance are
decorated with applied clay discs and the collar is
bordered with a clay roll: The “loop” appears as a
headdress similar to that on Figure 103.4a, b but it is
compressed. The face with its heavy eyebrows, the
details of the headdress and the collar are similar
in many respects to the corresponding features on
Figure 103.4a, b.
Traces of red paint are present. The interior of
the receptacle is smoked. Ht. 26 cm, diam. 19 cm at
inner rim.
Another vertical side-flanged, two-chambered
effigy incense burner with compressed “look-nose”
headdress is illustrated by Seler (1901, Fig. 257). It is
in the Adams Collection in the Vienna Museum and
is said to have come from Alta Verapaz. It is repro-
duced by Walter Lehmann (1921:8, Fig. 46).
Figure 103.4e, f (Mus. No. 2708; Kidder,
Jennings, and Shook 1946, Fig. 202a).
This tripod effigy incense burner with vertical side
flanges was found during the digging of a drain
north of Mound B at Kaminaljuyu and is believed
445
to belong to the Esperanza phase. It is of a coarse,
reddish brown ware containing quartz particles.
The grotesque face with large applied ear- and nose-
plugs is modeled on the vessel wall. Although not
bearing a “loop-nose” headdress, it is of interest
because of the curious flat clay loop that extends
from the upper lip of the grotesque human face to
the collar. This collar or necklace bordered with a
row of applied clay buttons is similar to those seen
on Figure 103.3. It is very possible that this flat loop,
whatever its purpose, bears a direct connection with
the “loop-nose.” It is also interesting to note that this
skillfully modeled effigy head has an open mouth
and what appear to be pointed teeth but from the
front, at least, the mouth is completely hidden by the
wide loop. This specimen also has hollow cylindri-
cal feet which are open at the bottom.
The vessel bears signs of red and yellow paint
and white wash. Ht. 51 cm, diam. 30 cm. It is always
hard to say which comes first, the chicken or the egg.
That we have a certain type of stylistic evolution is
obvious. Whether the “loop-nose” originated as such
and evolved into the headdress and finally dropped
to its curious location between the nose and the
collar or vice versa is the question. The fact that all
pieces are presumably Early Classic even presents
the possibility of parallel development although this
is less likely.
To students interested in style evolution or for
the amusement of archaeologists disdainful of such
theorizing, I would like to suggest the following sty-
listic sequence: Figures 103.2c–e; 103.1a–c; 103.2a, b;
103.1d, e; 103.3.e, f; 103.4a, b; 103.4c, d; and 103.4e, f.
It is, however, far from my desire to copyright this!
Before closing, I wish to call attention to two
hollow, cylindrical pottery objects from Uaxactun
(Dept. Peten, Guatemala), each representing a con-
ventionalized grotesque human face (Ricketson and
Ricketson 1937, Fig. 191, Pl. 95e–g). They are now
in the Guatemala National Museum (Mus. Nos. 293,
295). The nose of each face is a loop-like projection.
The vertical side-flanges as well as the rim are deco-
rated with rows of applied clay buttons. Although
their interiors show no signs of smoking, Ricketson
and Ricketson (1937:282, Fig. 191b) suggests their use
as incense burners and compares their features with
some of the grotesque masks on Pyramid E-VII-sub.
These “loop-nosed” pottery cylinders were found in
Cache 13 in the upper part of Pyramid E-VII and are
believed to be from the Tzakol phase of the Early
Classic period of the lowland Maya.
It has long been realized that a more detailed
knowledge of Maya incense burners is greatly need-
ed. Until sufficient examples of these important cult
vessels can be studied and classified any attempt at a
446 Stephan F. de Borhegyi
typology can be only tentative. The material present-
ed here is but a small contribution to a field which
is enormous in its scope and implications. Never-
theless, the recurrence of those features already dis-
cussed suggests that they can be used as guides for
assigning incense burners of similar stylistic treat-
ment to the Early Classic period of the Maya area.
It is interesting to note that three two-chambered
incense burners with many characteristics similar to
those noted in this paper were encountered during
the United Fruit Company’s excavations at Zaculeu
(Dept. Huehuetenango). These vessels were found
in tombs under Structure 1 and are believed to date
from the Early Classic period. More detailed informa-
tion con­cerning these specimens will be forthcoming
in the Zaculeu report by Trik and Woodbury.
This study was made possible by a grant-in-aid
from the Bollingen Foundation of New York.
Guatemala City