Much like some believe ancient spirits continue
to haunt the earth long after their death, sacred
objects continue to retain their spiritual powers,
accumulated through centuries of reverence,
long after the civilization that created them fades
into oblivion. This vessel is clearly one such
example. An absolute masterpiece of vase
painting, a shaman is depicted in the midst of
what is almost certainly a hallucinogenic trance.
Seen seated, wearing a fabulous headdress, he
holds a scepter or rattle in one hand and a bird
in the other. Black dots decorate the scene,
including his dark, wide pupils. The space in
between the two scenes of the shaman is filled
with a spectacular pattern of rings and stars
against a black background. This design might
suggest the psychedelic visions seen by the
seated shaman and perhaps hints at his
intoxicated powers. Originally, it would have
been used for consuming a Mayan concoction
made of cacao and chilies, perhaps drunken
during ritual ceremonies. Discovered in a tomb,
this masterpiece was as important to the
deceased in the next world as it was in this one.
- (PF.5627)
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