153

153: A Pre-Columbian Maya Lidded, Incised Tripod Vase

Currency:USD Category:Antiquities Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
153: A Pre-Columbian Maya Lidded, Incised Tripod Vase
Of an early type known from the ancient Tiquisate region of Guatemala, circa 300 A.D. – 650 A.D. Lidded vases are relatively rare amongst Maya pottery. This example measures nearly 8" tall with the lid in place, by about 5” wide. It features incised designs on both the exterior of the lid and the vase, with red cinnabar rubbed into the incised lines for visual accent as well as symbolic meaning. The graceful form of this vessel features a slightly corseted waist to the cylindrical vase, sitting atop three nubbin feet. The style and iconography of this type of vessel is important because it shows early Teotihuacan influence upon the cultural development of the Maya. Nicholas Hellmuth, in his book “The Escuintla Hoards: Teotihuacan Art in Guatemala", shows several, nearly identical examples of this type of vessel (pages 33, 34). He asserts that the incised iconography shows local, Maya versions of traditionally Teotihuacan symbolism. He interprets the symbolism as representing alternating “reptile eye glyphs” and “ringed butterfly eyes with central coiled antennae”. Reference: See Nicholas Hellmuth’s “The Escuintla Hoards: Teotihuacan Art in Guatemala” (pages 33-34) for comparable examples of this vessel type, as well as scholarly information.

Provenance: Former Apolonia Ancient Art, Colorado, USA, Before that, former, Florida, USA private collection.