Exceptional Maya Pottery Seated Scribe, ex-Schmitt

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Exceptional Ancient, Ethnographic, & Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 9, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-03-09 10:00:00 2023-03-09 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Ancient, Ethnographic, & Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-ancient-ethnographic-fine-art-12354
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• Lot Description
  **Originally Listed At $18000**
  
  Pre-Columbian, Mayan territories, Highlands, ca. 600 to 900 CE. In a word - breathtaking! Important, large and literally beyond exceptional pottery figure of a scribe. He sits with legs folded beneath him, his weight distributed to his right as he looks downward with right hand outstretched as if to make a notation with his fingers. He sits nude above the waist, elaborate belt tied at the front with patterned tassels , section of rope and ritualistic objects. On his left hip is a bird feather. On each wrist is a bracelet of carved circular objects, probably representing jade and on his exposed foot he wears an ankle bracelet and sandals, also adorned. Size: 12" W x 11.625" H (30.5 cm x 29.5 cm)
  
  Scribes played an incredibly important role in Maya society. It was required they be of royal birth and be part of the ruling class. They recorded important historical events. According to The Canadian Museum of History, the scribe's writing "was used to reinforce a ruler's military power and to legitimize his descent from noble ancestors and the gods. Writings on stone monuments were designed to place rulers in the most favorable light possible, and ancient sculptural inscriptions deal primarily with historical events, marriages, births, military campaigns and victories, rulers and other dynastic affairs."
  
  Interestingly the most detailed area of this figure is his applied textile bands and adornments around the waist, which drape naturalistically over his knees. We know that textiles played an important role in Maya religion and social status, but what we know about their clothing and attire is mainly from their painted depictions on pottery, carvings, codices, and figures such as this since so few of their textiles survived the humid climate. From these secondary sources archaeologists have deduced an incredible amount of information about the dress of the elite upper and warrior class of Maya society, the main subjects depicted in their art. It is evident they used animal skins as symbols of power, colorful bird feathers, and woven fabrics made from plant fiber such as cotton and agave on backstrap looms. The combination of hip and loin covering was the primary type of men’s clothing, and styles worn by elite men were usually made of cotton that may be decorated using a variety of weaving techniques, patterning, embroidery, or ornaments such as feathers throughout. Here we see a braided or twisted waist band with multiple panels, some with incised cross hatching and geometric patterning to indicate a texture or motifs in the weave, while the applied beaded areas may represent precious stone appliques, as well as scrolling vine like shapes to his sides, emphasizing a high status as a courtier figure.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired in 2003
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #173377

  Condition

  Repaired with restoration across most breaks. More recent repair across right proper shoulder, right hand, right pointer finger, fabric tie on his loin cloth, with outer edges missing. Strong, earthy scent when moisture applied. Xray available to interested bidders. 5 Tl holes total: on right leg, shoulder near back vent hole, behind ear, under right arm, and left knee.
• Shipping Info

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