First time at auction…

Pre-Columbian, Central America, El Salvador, Maya, Copador type, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A splendid pottery cylinder vessel, hand-painted with the procession of 4 elites, all holding rattles as the approach a dancing lord. Expressively posed, the lord wears a full jaguar costume with a cut conch shell over the eye hole, and wields a knife raised in one hand, suggesting this may be part of a ritual sacrifice or bloodletting. A band of glyphs sits above the energetic scene, encircling the rim of the vessel and perhaps identifying to whom it belongs. Residue analysis on vessels like this one show that they were used for drinking chocolate, a hugely popular and ritual practice amongst the Maya, especially the elite. The depiction of a ceremony on this vessel suggests that it may have played a role in such rituals and perhaps even sacrifices! Size: 5.9" Diameter x 7.6" H (15 cm x 19.3 cm)

Known as the "king of beasts" in the Pre-Columbian world and infamous for possessing high speed and massive strength, the jaguar was believed to dominate nature and inspire respect and awe throughout the ancient Americas. Jaguars were associated with strength and leadership, whether regarding spirituality or martial skill. Warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with this King of Beasts, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World whom they viewed as their spirit companion and protector. According to a dramatic narrative in the Popol Vuh, the protective hero twin Xbalanque, possessing a zoomorphic phenotype with jaguar skin, fought the monster macaw Vucub Caquix with his twin Hunahpu, and the hero twins defeated the monster.

Provenance: private Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA; ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA, July 27th, 2020, lot 197; ex-private Nevada, USA collection, acquired from Arte Primitivo under Mildred Kaplan, 1980s

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#175162

Professionally repaired with some minor chipping and in fill along break lines, but otherwise presents very nicely with great remaining pigments and detail. Light earthen deposits on interior.