Pre-Columbian, Ulua Valley, Honduras, Classic Mayan, ca. 550 to 850 CE. A Mayan polychrome cylinder, of large scale supported by three slab feet and highly adorned with elaborate hand painted decorations in black and red on and orange ground, the form and painting technique characteristic of the Alua Valley. Most prominent are three fine depictions of a standing jaguar known as Ex-Balanque - meaning "black jaguar" and pronounced esh baa lan ke. The jaguar was regarded as an important symbol of Mayan culture thousands of years ago, long before Chichen Itza was a major city. This magnificent feline captivated rulers, warriors, and priests. After all, it was the largest predator in the Americas and possessed distinctive features associated with the celestial realm. Most notably, as a nocturnal animal, its spotted coat was oftentimes compared to the starry night sky. The Maya believed that the jaguar played a critical role in the creation myth, and that all royals descended from the jaguar. The jaguar was also a symbol of life and fertility. Moreover, the jaguar was a significant entity not only for the Mayans, but for all ancient Mesoamerican peoples; even the early Olmec featured the feline in legends and traditions. Two of the black jaguars on this piece hold a sinuous serpent. Serpents held just as much esteem in Mayan culture, as both creatures represent dualities. According to Maria del Carmen Valverde Valdes, Ph.D. in Mesoamerican Studies by the Faculty of Arts of the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), "They are like the symbols that intertwine and relate the man with the earth, the underworld, fertility, and life." The Yucatan Times, 15, September, 2015). Beneath the rim of the piece is a band of glyphs representing Mayan deities or perhaps scribes with a wave-like motif above. A magnificent, museum quality example, most likely a gift for an elite individual as such painted cylinders were treasured for their meaning and artistic expertise. Size: 8-1/2" x 5-3/4" in diameter.

Such vases were used as gifts presented to royals and to serve food or drink, most likely cocoa, at ceremonial feasts. They were adorned by highly skilled painters who had an advanced understanding of Classic Maya religious mythology, history, and ideology. In addition, hieroglyphs were sometimes used to explore the meaning of the figures and scenes depicted, imbuing each form with a poetic visual language. The artists themselves were highly revered and usually belonged to elite families.

Provenance: Ex-private K. Olan collection, Pacific Palisades, CA.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#110201

Wonderful root marks. One tiny chip to glyph band and very minor almost invisible nicks to surface. Otherwise intact and near choice!