Pre-Columbian, Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 600 to 900 CE. A beautiful hand-built and highly-burnished brownware pottery cylinder with a flat base, lightly-corseted walls, a deep interior cavity, and a thick rim. Two tall rectangular panels display carved abstract anthropomorphic deities, each standing and wearing an elaborate headdress above regal vestments, and all within concentric archways in cream and dark-brown hues. Between the deities are identical columns containing either four or five elaborate glyphs highlighted in white and dark-brown pigment on a cream ground. Size: 5.95" W x 6.375" H (15.1 cm x 16.2 cm).
For the Maya, extraordinary ceramic vases like this example were gifted to elite individuals, akin to the gifts exchanged between high profile dignitaries today. Vases were a functional gift, created by artist/scribes who came from elite families and who took pains to recreate the stories of Mayan mythology and religion as well as to depict royal and godly personages in their artwork. This artwork reinforced the ruling ideology and reminded the viewer of what was valuable in Mayan society.
Provenance: private California, USA collection; ex-Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-Dr. Ruth Lax collection, New York, New York, USA
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#145749
Condition
Repaired from multiple large pieces with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Small chips to rim, body, and base, with fading to areas of original pigmentation, and softening to some finer carved details. Nice earthen deposits and light mineral deposits throughout.