Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel
Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel

Maya Pottery Polychrome Vessel

17423

$2,850.00
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Lowlands, Late Classic Period, circa AD 550 to 850

A finely potted ceramic bowl of slightly flaring cylindrical form, with flat base and rounded rim, the interior slipped in rich orange-red. The exterior is painted in polychrome — red-orange, black, and cream  with a continuous figural scene depicting two principal seated figures on opposite sides of the vessel, separated by vertical bands of Maya glyphic or pseudo-glyphic text columns and serpentine motifs.

Side A: A large seated male figure shown in profile, cross-legged, wearing an elaborate headdress with projecting plume-like elements. The figure's torso is rendered in a bold red-orange wash with black outline detailing. He extends one arm forward in a gesture of offering or address. Before and behind him are scrolling volute elements and a circular cartouche or mirror glyph rendered in red with black outline — possibly a k'in (sun) or ajaw (lord) sign. Below the figure, a black ground band frames the base.

Side B: A second seated lord of similar scale and pose faces the opposite direction, also cross-legged and gesturing. This figure appears to wear a different headdress configuration. Between the two lords, vertical columns of dotted and linear elements may represent a pseudo-glyphic text or a decorative partition, possibly referencing a "Primary Standard Sequence" — the dedicatory text commonly found on elite Maya drinking vessels.

The paired seated lords composition is a classic Maya iconographic program. These figures likely represent either elite courtly figures engaged in a ritual exchange or tribute scene, or mythological characters such as the Hero Twins (Hunahpu and Xbalanque) from the Popol Vuh creation narrative. 

Size: Height 4 inches (10.2 cm); Width 6½ inches (16.5 cm)

Condition:  Overall surface wear with repairs, scratching, abrasion, and areas of paint loss, particularly to the cream slip ground and the lower black band. Root marks and mineral deposits on the base and lower body consistent with long-term burial. The figural painting remains legible and well-preserved on the primary panels despite surface weathering.

Provenance: Ex New York City collection.

All pieces are unconditionally guaranteed authentic and as described in perpetuity and have been legally acquired and imported in full accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations regarding the movement and sale of antiquities.

A signed guarantee of authenticity with a description and photograph of the item(s) accompanies this object.

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