Pre-Columbian, Late Classic Maya, ca. 550 to 850 CE. This is a tall example of a cylinder vessel made from heavy grained terracotta pottery and slipped with red/orange, black, and cream. Around the rim is a design of hieroglyphs; the rest of the body has a larger design, duplicated on each side, of tall, heron-like birds or possibly vultures holding severed heads. Some of the most distinctive vessels from the Maya period are these which were probably given as gifts during feasts and used for drinking cocoa. The glyphs, which are similar to those found in known Mayan writing collected by the Spaniards, are outlined with a black-brown slip and applied on a light cream background, with painted bands delineating the "page" to be read. Prominent Mayanist Michael Coe has connected the scenes depicted upon these vessels with the sixteenth century Maya written epic, the Popol Vuh, which describes Maya religion and mythology. Size: 4.5" W x 8.8" H (11.4 cm x 22.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Georgia Collection; Ex-William and Carol Thibadeau, acquired 1960s through 1980s

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#117926

Repaired from multiple pieces.