The Arch formalized the entrance from what appears to have been a residential group of an upper class family to a central plaza with buildings of dynastic–political use.
From sign at site
The Arch formalizes the entrance from what appears to have been a residential group of an upper class family, to a central plaza with buildings of dynastic–politica use, including the Mirador pyramid.
Paul Gendrop describes the beautiful portal arch at Labna as one of the true classics of the fully developed Puuc style. He writes:
The appearance of this arch is particularly striking, with its lower walls slightly sloped, its gently concaved vault faces, its well accentuated upper ornamentation, and its simple but elegant outline, which is placed in relief by a well balanced and well contrasted decoration that changes radically from one façade to the other."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 190.
For the most part, the Arch was very well preserved. Only the roof comb and the foundational stairway have undergone major restoration.
"Over each doorway was a square recess, in which were the remains of a rich ornament in stucco, with marks of paint still visible..."
Stephens, John Lloyd. Incidents of Travel in Yucatan. Illustrated by Frederick Catherwood. Dover Publications, Inc. New York 1963.
Paul Gendrop writes: "While the Arch stands freely in the center of the whole composition, the lower side buildings are ornamented above the doors by a stylized Maya hut whose walls stand out from a delicate "latticework" or "petaled" stone background set off by two moldings, while its elongated palm roof passes the cornice level."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 190.
Origionally the huts had a seated human figure, but only the feathers of their topknots and the stone spike holding them up have been preserved.
This photo from 2017 shows the outlines and original colors of the magnificent quetzal feather head dress the figure was wearing.
It appears that this niche has become a favored nesting spot for paper wasps and honeybees.
"On the free corner there is a mask that seems to be supported by an embedded column.
Besides the remains of the (apparently stepped) openwork roofcombs that rise from the middle of the small roofs, there are the moldings that contribute so much to giving the fully developed Puuc style its unmistakable plastic force, powerfully evident with the lower beveling enhanced by beautiful serpent motifs in lattice work, or delicately showing openwork through stepped motifs.
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 190
This closeup of the Chaac mask on the northwest corner show traces of the original red and blue paint.
"Though the simplicity of the base and the inward slope of the door jambs (and the arch supports) are remnants of an earlier phase, the inverted slant of the corners, as well as all of the other elements present, belong to a definitely late context whose ornamental repertoire, in a true parade of design, is represented here almost in its entirely, in spite of the relative paucity of the decorated surfaces."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 190.
It is believed that the Arch was the final structure constructed within the Mirador–Archway–Plazotetas patio groups in the southern complex.
The Arch and Rooms 18–21 of the Palace are the only examples of a fully developed Puuc Mosaic style at Labná.