Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A fascinating pottery vessel of a tall, cylindrical form incised with a mythical scene featuring a large aquatic bird and a serious of sinuous abstract vegetal or serpentinite forms. A cylindrical vessel like this one would almost certainly have been used for pouring cacao drink, the most popular drink in Maya territories, into larger cylinders, thus producing a frothy foam on top that was the preferred way of serving it. Snakes and birds are prominently featured in many pre-Columbian cultures, and Itzamna, Maya Principal Bird Deity, was often depicted with snakes coming from its head or wings or devouring them whole. Size: 6" Diameter x 9.5" H (15.2 cm x 24.1 cm)

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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#175076

Retouching to motifs with white pigments. Stable fissure as shown, otherwise intact and excellent. Nice manganese blooms throughout.