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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Pre-Columbian Masterpieces : Mayan Tall Cylindrical Vessel
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Mayan Tall Cylindrical Vessel - PF.3264
Origin: San Salvador, El Salvador
Circa: 550
AD
to 850
AD
Dimensions:
9.25" (23.5cm) high
Catalogue: V24
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Terracotta
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
As brilliant as a setting sun, the warm hues of
orange, red and brown painted on this vessel
embrace our hearts and minds. The profile of a
royal Maya female graces the center stage of the
pictorial space. She is adorned with all the
luxury of the ancient royal world with her
necklace, ear spools, garment and headdress.
She is holding something special in her band.
She appears to look above her at the flower
which protrudes directly forward from her high
headdress. The petals of the flower have two
scroll lines swirling forth from it on one side. The
reverse side represents the same subject, but the
petals of the flower have only one scroll line
swirling forth from it. Everything else remains
the same. The significance of this difference is an
enigma. What is she doing? Could this beautiful
vessel scene depict a pivotal point in an ancient
Maya story? This idea is similar to the scenes
depicted on ancient Greek vases from the
Odyssey. There are three large glyph signs that
run clown the length of the vessel. These glyph
signs are similar to but not precisely the same as
the glyph sign for sun. Underneath our intriguing
royal Maya female is an "x" with clashes of color
in between the triangles. The border encircling
the top of the vessel bas repeated glyph signs.
We are drawn again and again through this
eloquent composition, charged with the rhythmic
energy of color and the tangible history which
rests in our hands.
- (PF.3264)
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