Chaac and Poktapok: Mesoamerican Carving, wall decor

This intricately hand-carved wood sculpture depicts the sacred Mesoamerican Ballgame (Pok-ta-pok), a central ritual and sport of the ancient Maya. The piece features a high-relief design that combines human athleticism with divine symbolism.

Sculpture Overview
Central Scene: The carving portrays two ballplayers in the heat of a match. They are typically shown in a dynamic, crouching, or kneeling posture—a pose historically used to strike the heavy rubber ball with the hips, as the hands and feet were forbidden.

The Deity Mask: Dominating the upper center or background of such carvings is often the face of a deity. Based on the long, curled, or "proboscis" style nose, this is likely Chaac, the Maya god of rain and lightning. His presence signifies that the game was more than a sport; it was a ritual to ensure agricultural fertility and the movement of the sun.

The Ballcourt Ring: On the right side of the carving, you can see the vertical stone hoop or ring. In the game, passing the ball through this ring was a rare and immediate victory.

Symbolism and Key Features
The sculpture is rich with traditional Mayan iconography:

Protective Gear: The players are depicted wearing thick, padded belts (yokes) and knee pads. In ancient times, these were made of leather or wood to protect them from the 7–9 lb solid rubber ball.

Sacred Geometry: The "I-shaped" layout often seen in the background of these carvings mimics the architectural footprint of actual ballcourts found in cities like Chichén Itzá or Tikal.

The Cycle of Life: In Maya mythology (the Popol Vuh), the "Hero Twins" played the ballgame against the lords of the underworld to achieve resurrection. Thus, the carving represents the triumph of light over darkness and the seasonal renewal of crops.

Artistic Style
The carving style is bas-relief, where the figures are slightly raised from the background. The use of dark wood and polished finishes highlights the fine details of the feathered headdresses, the texture of the deity's "scales," and the muscular tension of the athletes.