Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Preclassic Period, ca. 500 BCE to 100 CE. A rare and fine example of a hand-built pottery vessel containing two conjoined cylindrical tubes with a mutual base. The broad composition shows each buffware vessel joined via the upper rim and lower base as well as deep interior cavities that perhaps held ink, pigment, or poison. Incised on the front of the righthand vessel is a glyph representing a map enclosed with a four-lobed framework and surrounded by petite circles. The front of the left-hand vessel exhibits an abstract anthropomorphic face, with a large mouth and narrow eyes, that shows a different face when viewed upside-down. Faint remains of red pigment are visible across scattered areas and allude to how attractive this was at one time. Size: 3.3" W x 3.875" H (8.4 cm x 9.8 cm)
Sample 1: Bottom
Estimated age: 2300 years old (+/- 400) with restoration aht 8/31/21
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Arte Antico, New York, USA
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#164023
Condition
Minor nicks and abrasions to both chambers and incised details, with fading to most red pigment, otherwise intact and very good. Wonderful preservation to incised motifs. TL drill holes beneath base and inside of one rim. The letter "G" is written in graphite on the verso of one chamber.