Donated By: Donick Cary, Emmy-Award winning writer/producer (Letterman /Simpsons / Parks and Recreation /Silicon Valley)

Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico and northern Central America, Mayan Territories, Late Classic, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A classic example of a rattle-legged tripod plate from the Mayan period, with a band of glyphs around the flared rim and a lordly figure - possibly a scribe - depicted in tondo. The plate stands on tall, open legs with small clay balls inside of each to create a rattling sound. The seated figure has a headdress of very long, grey and orange feathers, and sits with his legs crossed, one foot up on his knee, leaning on one arm and reaching forward with the other as if to paint the sides of the bowl. Beside/underneath him is a basket containing what looks like eggs but could be any number of objects. The figure is painted with red, black, orange, and the rarer grey pigment. Scribes played a vital role in the Mayan world, and they were minor royalty, with the ability to read and write. They had the power to immortalize a king or queen through their writing, documenting battles, religious favor, and political skill. Size: 12.55" W x 3.75" H (31.9 cm x 9.5 cm)

The Maya Classic phase is so named because it was the peak of their artistic and cultural achievements. Part of this, as in many societies, included highly specialized consumable goods. Elaborate plates like this one were designed to be instantly distinguishable from those used for everyday eating or drinking - not just in decoration, but also in quantity produced, making these a much rarer find than a piece of domestic pottery. Instead, a bowl like this one would be ritually "sacrificed" by having a hole put through its center; it would then be placed into a tomb as an offering.

Provenance: private D. C. collection, California, USA; D. C. is an Emmy Award winning Hollywood writer and Executive Producer, collected before 2000

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.

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#126448

Repaired from multiple pieces. Iconography still clear with nicely preserved details. Legs still have original rattles inside of them. "Kill hole" in center.

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Making music happen since 2009…

Today, Musack's mission is to give kids and teens a voice through music by providing guitars, drums, and support for music teachers - wherever the need arises.

But back in 2009, Emmy-Award winning writer/producer Donick Cary (Letterman /Simpsons / Parks and Recreation /Silicon Valley) began Musack with a simple vision - raise money to fund musical programs for his hometown high school on Nantucket Island. After a rash of teen suicides on the island, Donick thought about how he and his friends got through their teen years. Music.

Musack continues to make music happen around the world with support from people like you. All lots offered for sale in today’s fundraising auction have been donated by celebrities, non-celebrities, and local businesses. Help us help our kids - bid high, bid often!

Donick Cary
President, Musack.org

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