Description:

Pre-Columbian, El Salvador, Mayan, ca. 550-850 CE. Polychrome tripod terracotta plate vividly decorated in shades of red, orange and black with true glyphs and pseudoglyphs. Sits on three short wedge-shaped legs. Note the central figure, elaborately dressed with a magnificent avian-form headdress and fanciful loincloth seated on a bench before a pot of bubbly emitting potent steam that he is inhaling. The legendary "Courtly Art of the Maya" exhibition (2004) featured several pieces of pottery that included similar representations. Accompanying text in the catalogue provides this analysis, "Among the supernatural realms of the Maya, one of the strangest was that inhabited by the alter-egos of various kingly offices. Called way (pronounced "why") by the Maya, these fantastical fusions of gods, humans, and beasts represent companion spirits that roam the dream world of sleep." (Miller and Martin, Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya, 2004, p. 157) Here we have a kingly lord who is about to conjure those companion spirits some of which may be alluded to in the surrounding pseudoglyphs. 2.75"W x 11.00"H (6.99 W x 27.94 H cm) Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970. 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.

  • Condition: Repaired from just over a dozen pieces. Some losses as shown, but good representation and condition overall.

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December 5, 2014 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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