Pre-Columbian, Guatemala, Peten region, ca. 550 to 900 CE. An impressive polychrome slip-painted earthenware cylinder of a substantive size with extensive iconographic content. Although certainly a work of immense beauty, this piece also features an informative painted rendering of court, military, and/or mythical life. On the walls of the painted vessel are three elaborately dressed seated figures wearing fanciful headdresses, beaded necklaces, ear ornaments, wrist cuffs, and loin cloths. Perhaps the fiercest of the figures assumes a warrior-like stance and appears as if he is about to strike his victim. His body is painted with black spots suggesting associations with the might of the jaguar, and he sits upon a spectacular chariot with an imposing dragon-like ornament adorning the front. This figure clearly is intimidating another figure donning an antlered, deer headdress who kneels before him and assumes a dramatic supplicating gesture. This is quite understandable as two profiled heads seem to have been decimated beneath the chariot. Behind the warrior is another figure who sits upon a serpent-like throne or cushion; his visage presents a black face, and the black spots upon his body suggest links to the esteemed jaguar and/or supernatural connotations. In addition, he is engaged in a theatrical, pantomime-like hand gesture, perhaps indicating a transmission of power to the fierce warrior. Above this narrative scene is a band of repeated true glyphs. While the meaning of the general narrative is arguably elusive, the painted imagery on this vessel includes valuable representations of ancient Mayan peoples of high rank, power, and wealth - lords and/or warriors given their grand headresses and regal accoutrements - and mythological beings possessing dragon and serpent phenotypes. What's more, references to battle and death suggest that this piece was most likely a mortuary offering to an elite personage. An important ceramic cylinder, replete with a complex narrative and exceptionally fine handbuilt coiling and painting techniques, the likes of which are found in the finest private and museum collections. Size: 6.5" W x 5.375" H (16.5 cm x 13.7 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Private W. S. collection, Los Angeles, CA

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#115003

Pressure cracks to the base. Expected surface wear commensurate with age but painted narrative is still vivid.