Maya Painted Cup with Seated Chiefs...

Description

Maya Painted Cup with Seated Chiefs

Maya, Southern Lowlands
C. 600- 900 AD
Polychrome Pottery
5" Tall x 4¼"

The cup has a lotus form with mildly corseted upper half, the rim and base bordered with a red band that frames a pale creamy yellow central panel with an ornate scene in red, black, white, and yellow. The panel shows two similar images of a seated ruler presenting an offering in a basket.  The figure has a tall sloping forehead,  is seated cross legged , one foot exposed wearing a long lappet over the legs, a wide belt surrounding the waist, and a long jade bead necklace and bracelet. Each chief has a long headdress with a slightly varied image of a long snouted monster deity with open mouth extending at the front, the center with tiers of feathers, and a huge plumed panel balanced to the rear. Disconnected before each figure is a floating rope band in red, black, and white, with undulating tongues in red and yellow with sets of circles attached. One side has a vertical panel of compound glyphs. The vase has some restoration to the upper rim and the surface with some perfectly matching retouching.

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