Pre-Columbian, Maya Territories, Guatemala, Maya culture, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A stunning and important pottery vessel of cylindrical form with tall, straight walls and a circular rim, all sitting upon a flat, annular base. Enveloped in a creamy beige slip, the exterior of the ancient vessel is adorned with intricately painted twin depictions of Quetzalcoatl with large eyes, jaws open - lower almost distended and a horizontal band of glyphs around the rim. Thick bands of black paint further embellish the top and bottom of the vessel. Size: 3.4" W x 7" H (8.6 cm x 17.8 cm)
Residue analysis on vessels like this one show that they were used for drinking chocolate, a hugely popular and ritual practice amongst the Maya, especially the elite. Although we know little about the artisans who made vessels like this one, we do know that cylinder jars are often associated with tombs, sometimes ritually broken. Prominent Maya scholar Michael Coe has connected the scenes depicted upon the most important of these vessels with the sixteenth century Maya written epic, the Popol Vuh, which describes Maya religion and mythology, as this one perhaps does.
Provenance: ex-William and Jane Frazer, Aspen, Colorado, USA, acquired 1980s
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#166623
Condition
Repaired from several large pieces, with light restoration along some break lines, and resurfacing with overpainting along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to rim, body, and base, and minimal fading to original pigment. Wonderful preservation to abstract designs on body as well as glyph band along rim. Old inventory label beneath base.