Description:

Pre-Columbian, Copan, Honduras, ca. 550-900 CE, Late Classic. Significantly, a frieze of Mayan scribes adorns the exterior of this fine bowl. The royal court of Mayan civilization, the only literate society in pre-Columbia America, prized the power of the written word. Consequently, scribes were regarded highly by kings who enlisted them to magnify their reputations and solidify their political hold on their domain. In paintings and sculptures, they are typically scene cross-legged, wearing a sarong and headcloth, with pens and brushes nearby or in hand. Some are accompanied by inscriptions identifying the person as keeper of the royal library or chief scribe. The surface of the bowlAEs interior is also decorated with an iconographical program. Here Copan turkeys march around a handsome mat glyph. 6.75"D x 3"H Provenance: Ex-Santa Monica Collection. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids, papered by our parent company, Artemis Gallery Ancient Art. The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

  • Condition: Intact, some surface scratching and loss as shown, erosion on bottom, good condition.

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October 11, 2013 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000