Xunatunich Wayo'ob Project
During the pandemic, American jeweler Sean Smokovich and Belizean stone carver Jorge Castellanos found one another online, connected on many levels, became enchanted with one another’s work and decided to join forces to create breathtaking, limited-edition jewelry pieces based on the stone friezes on the main temple of Belize’s famous Xunantunich Mayan ruins. Although the two men still have never met face-to-face, this collaborative project - conceptualized, developed, and refined over many miles and many months - is now nearing completion.
The two artists have named this exciting and special collection The Xunatunich Wayo’ob Project after the ruins that inspired the pieces; wayo’ob means “spirit realm” in Maya. These unique, alluring, historical, and intriguing works of art will amaze and delight all who view them, including lovers of Mayan culture and fine jewelry enthusiasts, and especially any who choose to add one or more of these pieces to their personal collections. The collection includes six different pieces: four pendants and two styles of earrings. The pendants are depictions of the Mayan rain God Chaak and lightning God K’awiil; there are small and large versions of each pendant. The two styles of earrings – one stud and one drop – offer two different representations of the ear flares or plug-style ear jewelry commonly worn by ancient Mayan people and their Gods. The symbol of the divine rope that connects the heavens to the earth realm is paired with with one of these representations of the ear flare. This combination shows the importance of these two items.
All six pieces are offered in gold or silver and are set with precious stones including custom cut jadeitie, black and white diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Thirteen of each design is cast in silver and nine of each is cast in gold as a nod to the nine levels of the underworld and the thirteen layers of the cosmic, heavenly realm above that are described in Mayan religious beliefs.
Smokovich has been creating jewelry for over twenty years and Castellanos has been carving stone using traditional Mayan methods since he was a young boy. These two artisans were destined to connect and work together on this very special art alliance. The pair works together like brothers and as if they have known each other all their lives.
Press Release By Christy Articola
So many steps were involved in this project. From Creating the actual pieces, to finding the music, getting custom glyphs made, finding the historically correct locality to source the jadeite that is used in the large Chaak pendants.
Special Thanks:
Walter Paz Joj for his amazing glyph creations for this project. He created all the custom glyphs that are used in the project and packaging
Tzutu Kan for letting us use his music to accompany the videos.
Luke Miller for his sourcing and custom cutting all the jadeite for this project.
The videos and documentary portion of this project was made in collaboration with Daniel Velazquez, Belize Soul Project
Shop the collection HERE
PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4
Xunantunich Wayo’ob Part 1
Xunantunich Wayo’ob Part 2
Xunantunich Wayo’ob Project Part 3
Xunantunich Wayo’ob Part 4