Yucatan Peninsula’s Gulf Coast – Jaina Island 
Maya

Terra cotta
Late Classic period, ca. 550-800 CE. 
Height: 5 in, Width: 3.25 in, Depth:  2 in
Idiophones – Indirectly Struck – Rattles

A Maya “Jaina” Jaguar Rattle of Pre-Columbian, Late Classic period, ca. 550-800 CE.  The term “Jaina” translates to “Temple in the Water.”  The Jaina Island is a pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site in the present-day Mexico state of Campeche.  This artificial limestone island on the Yucatan Peninsula’s Gulf coast served as an elite Maya burial site.  

This jaguar rattle shows intriguing details in the meticulous modeling of the creature’s snout and teeth-bearing grimace as well as the striated collar and trim of the mantle he wears. It still bears traces of signature Maya blue paint on the flower-like pendant on his forehead and the textile mantle as well as generous amounts of cinnabar (brownish red), revealing the Jaina cultures appreciation of vivid colors. Such a rattle would have accompanied a respected member of the necropolis (“city of the dead”).

Resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaina_Island