Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico and northern Central America, Mayan Territories, Late Classic, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A tall ceramic plate standing on three rounded tripod legs, with an unpainted, scalloped fringe around the base. In tondo is a figure of a standing warrior, tall and dressed in a multitude of ornate clothing, huge headdress, and feathers. The face is classically Mayan, wth a prominent nose and very long, sloping forehead, representing beauty ideals that real Mayan lords seem to have cosmetically altered themselves to achieve. His pose is dynamic, as if caught in the act of dance, with one arm extended behind himself and the other drawn slightly in towards his body. Red and blue pigment provides much of the detail, which is outlined in black fine-line pigment on a creamy orange field. Around this figure, on the flared sides of the plate, are a series of glyphs, three on each side, separated by thick red bands of color. These glyphs probably spell the name of the person commissioned the piece. Size: 14.1" W x 3.5" H (35.8 cm x 8.9 cm)

Painted Mayan pottery like this was used for feasting, ritual purposes, and as prestigious gifts given to emphasize the power of the giver and bind the recipient to them through a form of purchased loyalty. Maya kings and queens might give them to local governors. The artists who created them were also often minor royalty or nobility, especially the ones who could paint glyphs - literacy seems to have been reserved for the Mayan elite.

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

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#126499

Repaired and restored, with material filling in the cracks. Wear to pigment, but details are still clear, and some rare blue pigment remains.