Fine Maya Pottery Cache Vessel w/ Trophy Head & Shaman

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Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 7, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-10-07 10:00:00 2021-10-07 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-7537
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, El Quiche type, ca. 600 to 900 CE. An exceptional pottery cache vessel presenting a spool-form body with an anthropomorphic visage intended to emulate a disembodied head, perhaps a trophy head, and a convex lid capped by a large, seated figure, all adorned in red, blue, yellow, white, and black pigments. Supported by 3 petite, conical feet, the stylized face on the body of the vessel is comprised of applied clay features and displays heavy-lidded, ovoid eyes, a naturalistic nose, and full lips held slightly open. A pair of lengthy ears flank the face, each bearing an annular earspool. The flared rim of the vessel is further embellished by an undulating outer edge. Size: 4.2" in diameter x 17.9" H (10.7 cm x 45.5 cm)
  
  Alternatively, the domed lid showcases a hollow figure of a shaman, sitting with his petite legs spread and bent before him as he places both hands of his thick arms atop his knees. A loin cloth hangs from his stocky torso, which is topped with square shoulders and a sizeable head. His expressive visage is suggestive of a drug-induced, hallucinogenic state, presenting wide-open eyes, a curved nose, a closed mouth that appears to conceal gritting teeth, and large ears, all capped by an elaborate headdress of rectangular form, decorated with incised striations.
  
  Unlike many other ancient civilizations, the Maya did not have cemeteries or necropolises; instead, they buried both human remains and ritual caches of pottery filled with offerings, jade, beads, and other precious items throughout their lived-in-landscape, especially as part of their architecture. These all seem to have been "earth offerings," and may have been dedications for newly built construction, markers for the end of use of a building, or some kind of renewal ceremony relating to the broader concept of Mayan cosmology: the cycle of planting, harvest, and rebirth. Caches have been found in floors, in the fill of buildings, or set into walls. Vessels with lids seem to have been symbolic of houses or structures to the Maya, meaning that these vessels served as symbolic offerings of the buildings they were buried inside, able to be filled with offerings of food or drink, sanctifying the construction.
  
  This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
  
  Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Arizona, USA collection, acquired ca. 1993
  
  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.
  
  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.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #167952

  Condition

  Collection labels on base and underside of lid. Vessel body has repairs with light restoration to small areas of top rim, edge of base, and proper right ear. Restoration to break line on interior and minor area along the edge of the lid. Expected nicks and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remaining pigments.
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