John Antoine Labadie: Original Illustrations of Mayan Artifacts, 1990-2000

Original Illustrations of Mayan Artifacts from Archeological Sites in Belize by John Antoine Labadie: 1990 – 2000

About this publication ...

This e-book has been constructed for one reason: to present my drawings from archeology projects conducted at Mayan sites in Central America in the late 20th century. From 1990 through 2000 I had the wonderful good fortune to be involved with a number of archeology projects in Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. I have to thank my brother Joseph H. Labadie, National Park Service archeologist, for my introduction to scientific illustration and the archeological community. We did good work together. Thanks Joe! As to these illustrations, I worked on site in Central America, and in university research facilities in the USA and enjoyed the privilege of consulting with professional archeologists, and other scientists, as together they pursued research projects at various sites in the region. As a photographer, illustrator, workshop instructor, conference presenter, and collaborator on many levels, in this way I was able to contribute to the knowledge base of Mayan archeology.

This is the first of a number of volumes of my illustrations that will show the kinds of works accomplished for these projects over a period of more than a decade.

The illustrations included in this small publication show only a small part of the graphic work that was part of my activity as a contributor to projects during this period. The images in this PDF show a few of the illustrations I made of artifacts found in funerary contexts in locations throughout Lowland Belize.

These illustrations are about ceramics, or objects thought to be of ceramic construction. My illustrations of lithic artifacts, bone artifacts and other miscellaneous finds will be presented in another portfolio.

John Antoine Labadie November 2012

A graphite reconstruction of a small funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A detail of a graphite reconstruction of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A graphite reconstruction of a large funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A detail of a graphite reconstruction of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A graphite reconstruction of a small funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A graphite sketch (on graph paper) of a funerary vessel showing “fire scale” from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A graphite reconstruction of an unusual asymmetrical funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A paste-up of a graphite illustration of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize ready for publication.

An enhanced close up of a graphite illustration of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize. This vessel was termed “the chocolate pot.”

A paste-up of a graphite illustration of a large funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize ready for publication.

An enhanced close up of a graphite illustration n of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A close up of a graphite illustration n of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A detail of a graphite reconstruction of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A graphite reconstruction of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A preliminary graphite reconstruction of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize that is just about ready to move further through the various stages of visual reconstruction.

An enhanced close up of a graphite illustration of a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A close up of an illustration of a mamaform foot fragment from a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A close up of an illustration of a mamaform foot fragment from a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A close up of an illustration of a mamaform foot fragment from a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A close up of an illustration of a “strap handle” fragment from a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A close up (on graph paper) of a graphite illustration of foot fragment from a funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

An enhanced close up of a graphite illustration of an unusual “hand with bird” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize.

An enhanced close up of graphite illustration of a an unusual “hand with bird”fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize.

An enhanced close up of a graphite illustration of an “arm” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A publication ready graphite illustration of an enhanced close up of an “arm” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A close up of of graphite illustration of “foot” fragment of an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize. Version #1

A ”cut wary” marker illustration (over graphite) of an intact funerary vessel from the site of K’axob, Belize.

Version #2. This is a “field illustration” accomplished to aid identification of the specific type of vessel.

A graphite illustration of fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize. Version #1.

An enhanced close up of of graphite illustration of a fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize.

Version #2.

A close up of pen & ink stippled illustration of an “Itzamna’s face” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize. Version #1 on graph paper.

An enhanced close up of a pen & ink stippled illustration of an “Itzamna’s face” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize. Version #1.

A pen & ink version of an “Itzamna’s face” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize. Version #1 on graph paper.

A enhanced, pen & ink stippled version of an “Itzamna” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize. Version #1 on graph paper.

A enhanced charcoal version of an “Itzamna” fragment from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize.

Version #1 on graph paper.

A pen & ink stippled version of a “bark beater� from the site of K’axob, Belize. At the time of this drawing the material was still undetermined: either ceramic or stone.

A pen & ink stippled version of an array of shell and/or ceramic fragments removed from an from an incensario from the site of K’axob, Belize.

A simple marker sketch outlining existing ceramic fragments superimposed on a projection of a vessel these piece suggest. From the site of K’axob.

A stippled marker sketch of a projection of a reconstructed vessel with a rim fragment added into the rendering from the site of K’axob.

A graphite rendering of the actual pieces found in an excavation from the site of K’axob.

A graphite projection of an intact vessel suggested by the actual pieces found in an excavation from the site of K’axob.

A stippled ink sketch of a ceramic “roll out seal” from the site of K’axob. The conjecture is that this object was used either to make patterns in clay vessels or as a way of transferring a pattern to cloth.

Original Illustrations by John Antoine Labadie: 1990 - 2000 johnantoinelabadie@gmail.com http://www.steppingstonearts.com/