Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A compelling Maya redware portrait jar, presenting the venerable visage of Huehueteotl-Xiuhtecuhtli, the revered Mayan old god of fire. His aged countenance is masterfully rendered, with arched brows rising above a deeply furrowed forehead, framing sunken eyes beneath heavy lids that speak of timeless wisdom. A naturalistic nose descends to parted lips, above a projecting beard etched with delicate incisions. Rectangular, pierced ears flank this powerful depiction, perhaps serving a dual purpose as sturdy handles, all resting upon a stable, rounded base. Size: 6.8" L x 6.9" W x 6.5" H (17.3 cm x 17.5 cm x 16.5 cm)

Huehueteotl-Xiuhtecuhtli held a significant position within the Maya pantheon, embodying the essential element of fire in its dual aspects: the ancient, enduring flame ("huehue teotl," roughly "very old god") and the youthful, ever-renewing hearth ("xiuhtecuhtli," "turquoise lord" or "year lord," associated with cyclical time and renewal). As the deity of fire, he was connected to warmth, cooking, light, and importantly, to the hearth as the center of the home and family. He was often depicted as an old man, sometimes toothless and slightly hunched, signifying his ancient nature and the enduring presence of fire. Portrait jars, like this fine example, were a distinctive art form in Maya culture, particularly during the Classic Period (ca. 250-900 CE). These vessels, often found in burial contexts, are believed to have held offerings or perhaps even represented the essence or spirit of the depicted individual or deity. The detailed rendering of Huehueteotl-Xiuhtecuhtli in this jar underscores the importance of this ancient fire god in Maya belief and ritual life, offering a direct connection to their spiritual world and artistic traditions.

Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005

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#194108

  • Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting along break lines; all done very well and difficult to notice. Professional restoration to nose. Otherwise, excellent presentation with scattered mineral deposits to surface.

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June 13, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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