01 Photograph Gallery

02 Object Information

Description

An orange-on-cream bowl or dish with a flat bottom and divergent wall.

It is decorated with two water birds in profile, probably cormorants, on opposite sides and separated by vertical series of two 8 Ahaw glyphs (placed the other way around).

The orange paint on a white background characterizes this ceramic style, which was produced around the site of Naranjo, in northeastern Petén.

* Neutron activation analysis of the paste indicates the eastern Peten region as its place of origin, from the city of Naranjo to the western and southern Belize Valley (Maya Survey Project, Smithsonian).

Period

CLASSIC (150/200 A.D.-900 A.D.) Late Classic (650-900 AD).

Provenance

Maya Lowlands

Medium / Material

Clay

Technique

Modeled, Painting, Slip

Dimensions

Height: 10 cm
Diameter: 22 cm

03 References and Exhibitions

References to similar objects

* Maya Survey Project

Exhibitions

Object displayed in the Príncipe Maya Museum (Cobán, Alta Verapaz) until the collection was transferred to La Ruta Maya Foundation in October 2010.

1. “FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE MAYAN WORLD.” ArteCentro “Graciela Andrade de Paiz,” Historic District, Guatemala City (February 28–June 16, 2013)

2. “FAUNA OF THE MAYAN WORLD.” Interbanco Art Gallery, Quetzaltenango (September 10–October 31, 2013)

3. “PRE-COLUMBIAN BIODIVERSITY, THE MYSTERIES OF THE JUNGLE.” Spanish Cooperation Training Center, Antigua Guatemala (August 17, 2017–February 25, 2018)

4. “MAYA: THE GREAT JAGUAR RISES” (2nd Tour) Kansas City Union Station (August 2022–March 2023) and California Science Center (April–September 2023)

Publications

1. “Testimony in Stone and Clay. The Natural Environment is Reflected in the Exhibition Flora and Fauna in the Mayan World.” Culture Section, Prensa Libre, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Page 38.

2. “In Their Struggle for Subsistence, the Ancestors Were Not Alone.” Revista D Magazine, Prensa Libre. February 10, 2013. Pages 18-21.