01 Photograph Gallery

02 Object Information

Description

Polychrome plate (red, and black on orange), originally a tripod with missing supports. It has a diverging curved wall; a flattened rim decorated with rectangular segments in black and red; and a flat base. The outer surface is decorated with vertical black bands.

The main decoration consists of the image of a supernatural bird in left profile, painted black with a spiral eye and pupil.

Its wing is raised backward and its right leg extended forward. It wears a band across its forehead, ornaments on its beak, and a red headdress. Around the bird, on the inner wall, are three cruciform groups, each with five black circles.

Because of its underworld nature, it is not possible to identify the species, but it could be a bird with features of a hummingbird and an eagle.

*Plate with a killing hole in the center

Period

CLASSIC (150/200 A.D.-900 A.D.)

Provenance

Maya Lowlands

Medium / Material

Clay

Technique

Modeled, Painting, Slip

Dimensions

Height: 6.5 cm
Diameter: 31 cm

03 References and Exhibitions

References to similar objects

Exhibitions

Object exhibited in the lobby of the Hyatt Centric Guatemala Hotel from August 2017 to October 7, 2020

Publications