Imagine a sculptor surrounded by choking dust, facing a huge chunk of rock from which he must create an extraordinary object. Working with simple tools the task was formidable- to carve a work that is both for this world and the next. Such a panel would have been part of a tomb's household furniture, in order for the noble owner to be more comfortable in the afterlife.
Beneath the fiat surface is a veritable menagerie of fantastic creatures. At the center a large bat spreads its wings supporting the sides. He stands on a jaguar, whose tail gracefully curls upwards, lightly touching the table edge. At the back are two supports symbolizing birds, probably a condor, biting the head of a man who seems to crouch in pain. The front duplicates this astonishing imagery. These animals were regarded as sacred and treated with respect. Their primal nature, so realistically depicted, perplexes, disturbs and excites.

Seen at eye level the fiat surface appears to symbolize the calm of heaven, while below lurks a jungle world full of danger and beauty. This piece offers a dimension of life very strange to our modern age. Yet, it speaks to our inner selves with magic and mystery, as it must have done when created.