Details
Description
Offered is a Mayan codex-style vessel, late classic period.
The vessel is of cylindrical form, hand constructed and thin walled, …
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Offered is a Mayan codex-style vessel, late classic period.
The vessel is of cylindrical form, hand constructed and thin walled, decorated in black and red slip over a cream ground, bordered with red bands. The scenes depict a hybrid human and jaguar figure, headdress atop, with long hair bound by a partial jaguar pelt at base, surmounted by tied ribbons, at center a neck ornament, an ex (loin cloth) below, seated crossed leg on a throne. Decorative serpent style panels separate scenes. Origin: Southern Mexico. Period: Circa 650-750 C.E. Material: Earthenware.
Features: Monochromatic design illustrates two scenes. Scene 1: Maya glyph columns (G) on left and on right, figure’s right arm and paw extended in a gesture of supplication before an "unlit" fire stick, tufted hair atop headdress. Scene 2: G on left, right arm extended with level paw facing down before a "lit" fire stick, hair partially coiled* (as if "suspended in the air"), additional red slip accents; atop vessel (right side of throne, not present in scene 1), G on figure’s upper arms, *notably outside lines of the hair.
Interpretation: The Mayan "god Balam", is depicted, most "recognizable by the 'cruller' around the eyes (makes a loop over the nose)."(Taube). Inferred by the scene differences, a physical and spiritual transformation occurs, illustrates a fire ritual. Decorative panel design symbolizes the Mayan "god Kukulcan's" influence.
Measures: 4 D x 7 H in. (10.16 D x 17.78 H cm).
Weight: 1 pound 6.6 ounces (642 g).
Provenance: Ex-Northern California private collection, active as a collector from the 1960s - 1980s, acquired from Bill Pearson - Fine and Primitive Art, 3499 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA, circa 1970s. Private provenance available upon request.
Documentation: Original restoration receipt dated 26 September 1992, Mark Wm. Clark, New World Antiquities, 323 Geary St., Ste. 409, SF, CA.
Notes: In Mayan ceramics, transformation is frequently depicted in a sequence of images. Turning the vessel unlocks the animation embedded within.
Based upon scholarly research of Mayan art and culture, G appear in the Maya Primary Standard Sequence (PSS). If G deciphered, highly probable PSS will indicate beverage contents as cacao or corn, and the name of a jaguar priest.
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- Dimensions
- 4ʺW × 4ʺD × 7ʺH
- Period
- 15th Century & Earlier
- Country of Origin
- Mexico
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Pottery
- Condition
- Good Condition, Restored, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Cream
- Condition Notes
- Restored; stable. Wear consistent with age and use; e.g. fissures, scratches, sporadic pigment loss, and discoloration. Restored; stable. Wear consistent with age and use; e.g. fissures, scratches, sporadic pigment loss, and discoloration. less
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