This stunning cylinder vase is an excellent
example of the Mayan artistic tradition of deep
carving on vessels, creating a bas-relief effect
very much like that found on the great stone
monuments. On a highly burnished orange
background the artist has carved a series of
glyphs that handsomely encircle the upper
portion of the vase. Below, an incised band of
two horizontal lines stand three carved birds,
rendered in a most artistic pose, their wings and
beak carved in a glyph-like manner. Powerful
water birds such as these may have been
considered a significant link between the three
levels of the Mayan Universe. In their ability to
fly through the terrestrial sphere and dive into
the water, they have direct access to the
underworld. What ancient sights have these
birds been a witness to? Evidence of burning
inside the ceremonial vessel makes us wonder
about the ritual that this vessel took an active
role in. Do the glyphs on the vase give a date
and related constellation of the
ritual...fascinating questions to ponder and give
rise to our imagination. To own this evocative
ceremonial vase is to most certainly partake in
the mysterious Mayan rituals on both an
emotional and aesthetic level.
- (PF.2197)
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