Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mexico and Guatemala, Peten Basin, Maya Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 950 CE. An elegant ritual ceramic vessel, cylinder shaped, with a tall, ribbed body, and a band of black-outlined glyphs against a deep red background just below the rim on the exterior. The mouth of the vessel folds outward slightly, forming a lip at the rim, which is painted black. The glyphs include the human-faced symbols for cacao and the cross-hatched symbol mat, meaning a mat house, or Popol Nah, places where councils of nobles met. Size: 4.95" W x 6.25" H (12.6 cm x 15.9 cm)

The Peten region was one of the most densely populated regions in the world during the Maya period, home to several million people and many powerful urban areas, each of which would have had their own Popol Nah for nobles to meet. This cylinder may have been used in one of them, belonging to an elite member of society, for the ritual drinking of chocolate.

Provenance: private California, USA collection

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.

#146077

  • Condition: Intact, with excellent root marks and light deposits on surface. Wear to pigment commensurate with age including some small scratches, chips, and areas of pitting. However the motifs are in very nice condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 23, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000