This vessel exudes a mysterious energy, an
ancient intangible potency that is as radiant
today as the day it was fired. Much like we can
conceive of spirits haunting the earth after their
bodily demise, ancient spiritual powers continue
to inhabit certain sacred object long after the
civilization that created them has faded away.
This cylindrical container is certainly one such
object. The most prominent feature of this work
is the two projecting avian heads that emerge
from the upper sides as if handles. In between
these two heads is a band of engraved
interweaving mat pattern motifs. The majority of
the body is dedicated to three repeating
representations of a fully costumed standing
figure, presumably a king or shaman. He wears
a fanciful feathered headdress, a beaded
necklace (possibly made of jade), various
bracelets, and numerous decorative loincloths
that fall to his sides. The space in between these
rectangular scenes framed in a black line is
painted red and elaborated with a ribbed texture,
as if the sculpture ran the tips of his fingers
along the sides of the vessel while the clay was
still wet. This masterpiece of ancient Mayan
pottery must have played a vital role in a long
forgotten ceremony. Its importance is reflected
both in its tremendous craftsmanship as well as
the glyphs that adorn it. Found in the tomb of
an ancient ruler or dignitary, this vessel was as
essential to the ancient Mayan in the next world
as it was in this one.
- (PF.6085)
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