A Superior Maya Polychrome Cylinder Vase...

Description

A Superior Maya Polychrome Cylinder Vase
Mesoamerica, Middle Classic Period, circa 400-700 AD

Earthenware expertly painted in red-brown, orange, black and white on a light orange ground. Depicts two lords seated on a bench leaning far forward with arms outstretched holding a shield-form in their left hand and a staff or weapon in their right. Both have black skin with white around their eyes, mouth, and chin. Both wear a jaguar pelt and have a large flaring back-rack. Of most importance is their gigantic headdress. One is the head of the mythical bird deity, and the other a mix of flowers and feathers. This vase has the classic Primary Standard Sequence glyph band along the top, with supplemental glyphs - probably the name of the lord/ruler or place - between the figures. The vessel was conserved in ancient times, as evidenced by two sets of two parallel drill holes at the side of a crack, through which fiber or sinew string would be lashed to prevent the crack from expanding. More recent repairs and restorations on cracks each side and bottom. Most of the surface and painting is original.

Provenance:
Acquired by the current owner in Tokyo, Japan, before 1970

Published:
The Maya Vase Database, by Justin Kerr, online at mayavase.com, item #K9317. Described incorrectly as "... a Ruler enthroned in the jaws of the serpent of the otherworld."

Height: 8 inches

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