01 Photograph Gallery

02 Object Information

Description

Vessel depicting a scene with four figures interacting with an obese character wearing an elaborate feathered headdress and a large frog mask, through which the face is visible, appearing to see himself in an obsidian mirror. Behind him is a bench, and in the background, columns and hanging curtains within the palace are visible.

The glyphs identify the main figure as Baah Pakal, or “First Shield,” of Sihyaj Witzil Chan K’awiil, lord of Ik’a’ (Motul de San José, Petén). The scene is described as ‘ub’aah joyal Sihyaj Witzil Chan K’awiil k’uhul Ik’a’ ‘ajaw – “the image [of the] accession [to power of] Sihyaj Witzil Chan K’awiil, divine lord [of the lordship] Ik’a’”. The vessel dates to 700–800 CE.

Readings by Camilo Luín (2013) and Yuriy Polyukhovych (pers. comm. 2019).

The lower section of the vessel was repainted during restoration, prior to its repatriation and inclusion in La Ruta Maya (especially the main figure’s “shoes”).

This painting style is known as “X-ray” style. Saxché-Palmar ceramic group (Adams, 1971: 31–39; Forné, 2006: 60–61).

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: 20.8 cm
Diameter: 13 cm

03 References and Exhibitions

References to similar objects

Exhibitions

1. “THE WORLD OF THE MAYAN ARTIST”. Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española. Antigua Guatemala (Feb. 3 – Jun. 16, 2013)

2. “THE WORLD OF THE MAYAN ARTIST”. Centro Cultural Casa Noj, Quetzaltenango (Ago. 12- Sept. 6 de 2013).

3. “TREASURES OF THE MAYA SPIRIT”. LA Art & Antique Show. LA Convention Center, California (Ene. 4 al 9, 2014)

4. “TREASURES OF THE MAYA SPIRIT”. Galería de arte del Interbanco, Quetzaltenango (Sept. 8 – Nov. 10, 2014)

5. “TREASURES OF THE MAYA SPIRIT THROUGH TIME”. ARTECENTRO Graciela Andrade de Paiz, Centro Histórico, Ciudad de Guatemala (Mayo 21 – Oct. 19, 2015)

6. “THE HUMAN FIGURE AND BODY DECORATION IN PRE-COLUMBIAN TIMES”. Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española, Antigua Guatemala (Ago. 25, 2016- Feb. 26 2017)

Publications

Presentan el Mundo del Artista Maya””. Diario El Quezalteco. Miércoles 14 de Agosto 2013. Página 11.

“Cultura Prehispánica Resplandece””. Sección Cultura. Prensa Libre. Martes 5 Febrero 2013. Página 46.

“Mirada al Artista Maya””. Diario El Periódico. Lunes 11 Febrero 2013.

“Treasures of The Maya Spirit. IMS Explorer. Institute of Maya Studies. Julio 16, 2014. Página 2.

Luin, Camilo Alejandro; Alexandre Tokovinine y Dimitri Beliaev. 2015. “Una Nueva Mención de Sihyaj Witzil Chan K’awiil, Divino Señor de Motul de San José“”. XXVIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, 2014. MCD, IDAEH y Asociación Tikal, Guatemala. Páginas 657-652