Ancient Mayan art was composed of a complex
symbolic language with extremely important
social functions. Mainly commissioned by kings
and other high elite, works of Mayan art fulfilled
both political and social purposes. Because the
art functioned as a type of language, to be
understood by the entire population, a certain
consistency in subject matter and its portrayal
was necessary. While this limited the Mayan
artist's individual creativity to some degree,
where he could distinguish himself was in the
refinement of execution, as revealed in this
impressive polychrome bowl. Here we see the
interior surface artistically rendered to
incorporate the imagery with the form of the
bowl. The bottom portion features the lively
depiction of a Mayan lord, complete with
dramatic headdress and fancy costume. With
mouth open and right hand gesturing in front of
him, he appears to be addressing someone. His
expressive image is flanked by Mayan glyphs,
while at the same time a black and red painted
pattern both frames his image and forms a
border for the bottom of the bowl. The interior
sides are artfully decorated with the alternating
image of a monkey and two vertical red bands,
the monkeys imaginatively portrayed in a seated
position atop the band that frames the standing
lord. With erect tales curling upward and arms
held out at their sides, the monkeys are
illustrated in an animated and exuberant pose,
adding to the overall sense of spirited energy
that this work of art evinces. Clearly, this painted
ceramic bowl displays the multifaceted talents of
the ancient Mayan artists, their skills
unsurpassed at rendering ceramic masterpieces
of sophisticated design and composition. HT.
8.8cm(3 1/2) : DIAM. 31.2cm(12 1/4IN)
- (PF.2435)
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