PRECOLOMBIAN CERAMICAS    <--BACK

Cylindrical Vessel Dumbarton 11.5 x 11.8 cms.

Classic MAYA Clasico, dated between 672 and 830 a.Chr.

Ceramic Typ Codex in cream colour with mineral pigments in brown, red, orange, black and sky blue. Collection Dumbarton Oaks, Washington D.C., USA

Origin unknown, region of the low-lands of Peten Guatemala and Campeche.

(Nakbe-Viewpoint-Calakmul)

On this vessel we register a ritual, in which the main personage is seated in front of a large cushion while two other persons help him. The first one holds a mirror framed with wood, while the other one stays in contemplative attitude. The main personage only wears a thight loincloth with a stylized leather belt while that, what seems to be some trousers, which are still hanging on a piece of furniture behind the second assistent. On his hair he has some decoration painted in an unusual sky blue colour, which has the transparency of a delicate watercolour paint. It’s very difficult to reach this colour on a ceramic over a low fire.

A basket with a bundle of cloth as well as a vessel are in front of ech of the assistants.

The glyphic inscriptions still couldn’t be interpreted, but perhaps they are a funeral chant taking place in Yaxchilan.