01 Photograph Gallery

02 Object Information

Description

Ceramic vessel with a globular body and a ring base, featuring a wide mouth with a slightly thickened rim. The surface displays a predominantly reddish coloration, with darker areas and irregular patches resulting from the firing process.

Multiple handles are arranged around the rim. Two larger, semicircular handles are positioned on opposite sides of the vessel, while the remaining smaller ones are distributed evenly around the circumference, making a total of ten (10). From the rim down toward the shoulder, shallow vertical grooves can be seen, visually accompanying the placement of the handles.

On the front of the body, a modeled anthropomorphic head is applied, positioned slightly above the midpoint of the vessel. The face is round in shape and displays schematic features: circular perforated eyes, a protruding nose, and an open oval mouth. Incised lines surround the facial features, framing the face.

The back of the vessel lacks applied figurative elements and presents a smooth surface, interrupted only by the handles and the rim grooves.

On opposite sides of the rim, relief figures of unidentified beings with small heads, pointed eyes and mouths, and three dangling tentacles with hands at the ends are visible. Overall, the surface shows signs of wear and chromatic variation visible throughout the vessel.

* Highlands of Guatemala, Ixil region (Indigenous Ancestral Municipality of San Juan Cotzal, Quiché, 2026)

Period

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

Provenance

Guatemalan Highlands

Medium / Material

Clay

Technique

Cut-out or fretworking, Grooving, Incised, Modeled, Painting, Slip

Dimensions

Height: 25 cm
Mouth diameter: 23.5 cm

03 References and Exhibitions

References to similar objects

* During the visit of the Ixil Ancestral Council of San Juan Cotzal (Quiché, Guatemala), the piece was examined, and the presence of this style in the Ixil region was confirmed. Mrs. Teresa Toma Sambrano (Texel) indicated that this style of pot, although Pre-Columbian, is used to prepare and serve cacao only to the leaders of the Cofradía (religious brotherhood), with special emphasis on producing cacao foam. Mr. Rafael Cobo indicated that this style of pot is known as LOCHOB‘.

Exhibitions

Publications