Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mayan Territories, Ulua Valley, Honduras, ca. 600 to 900 CE. What a fabulous vessel! Dark and moody and clearly depicting the goings on of the Underworld. Sitting on three nubbin feet the vessel features three upper panels depict very stylized armadillos curled into half-balls, long snouts and toothy grins making them far more menacing than any armadillo I have seen along Texas highways. Between these panels are three elaborate Mat glyphs - an important symbol in the Maya culture as it relates to the woven matta found on the floor where business dealings would be conducted between two parties. Finally, three lower decorated areas show stylized plates with glyphoid border and deep red centers, quite possibly a representation of blood. It is thought vessels like this are a tribute to the Hero Twins who made a miraculous escape (by defeating the evil underlords in a ballgame ritual) from the underworld and all the creepy crawlies that tried to imprison them.

Provenance: private D. C. collection, California, USA; D. C. is an Emmy Award winning Hollywood writer and Executive Producer, collected before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#189440

    Condition:
  • Almost invisibly repaired from half a dozen pieces, repaint over the breaks only.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 15, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000