Mesoamerican Series: Honoring the Legacy of an Ancient World in Carved Form
- Roberto Ferrer
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
In this special series, wood becomes more than material—it becomes memory.
The Mesoamerican Series is a collection of four intricately turned and carved wall sculptures, each created from a single piece of wood. Each piece is a tribute to a foundational figure, place, or belief from pre-Columbian civilizations of what eventually would become Mexico and some central American countries. From the strength of emperors to the mysteries of the afterlife, these works invite reflection on the legacy, resilience, and reverence embedded in Mesoamerican culture.
Cuauhtémoc
15” diameter | Maple | Pigments
Cuauhtémoc, translated as The Descending Eagle, was the last emperor of the Mexica "Aztec" Empire before the fall of Tenochtitlán to Hernán Cortés in 1521. He is remembered as a symbol of resistance, nationalism, and indigenous pride.
This sculpture honors Cuauhtémoc’s legacy through strong radial symmetry and a commanding central figure, embodying the courage and defiance of a people facing conquest. The surrounding motifs suggest both architectural might and spiritual depth.
Pakal
15” diameter | Maple | Pigments
Pakal the Great ruled the ancient Mayan city of Palenque in the 7th century and is credited with architectural wonders that still stand today. He oversaw one of the most prolific cultural expansions in the Mayan empire.
This piece features intricate textures and glyph-inspired patterns that evoke stone carvings, stepped temples, and celestial alignments. The figure of Pakal sits at the center—stylized but stately, grounded in both time and myth.
La Venta
15” diameter | Black Walnut | Pyrography and Pigments
La Venta was one of the major centers of the Olmec civilization—widely considered the first great culture of Mesoamerica. Located in present-day Tabasco, this archaeological site is known for its massive stone heads, ceremonial platforms, and deep influence on later cultures like the Maya and Aztec.
Crafted from solid black walnut, this piece highlights fine pyrography and painted textures that echo volcanic rock and worn temple surfaces. The dark center references the iconic Olmec heads—heavy with presence and mystery.
Mictlan
15” diameter | Black Walnut | Pyrography and Pigments
In Aztec mythology, Mictlan was the underworld—a complex spiritual realm that souls traveled through after death. It was not a place of punishment, but a journey through layers of meaning, trials, and transition.
This piece embraces that concept with a central skeletal figure surrounded by stepped, repeating patterns that suggest the stages of descent. The wood was burned and treated to reflect both shadow and shimmer, revealing the depth and duality of this cosmology.
Together, these four works form a cycle—a tribute to rulers, civilizations, beliefs, and transitions. Each one was shaped slowly by hand, beginning as a single solid form before being turned, carved, and carefully finished with fire, pigment, and purpose.
This series isn’t just a collection. It’s a reverent dialogue with heritage, and a visual invitation to remember what came before us—and what still lives on in the work of hands and hearts.
If this series resonates with you or you'd like to explore a custom piece inspired by cultural legacy, ancestral roots, or personal symbolism, I welcome commission inquiries.
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