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EARLY CLASSIC, CA. A.D. 250 - 450
Details
MAYAN BLACKWARE EFFIGY VESSEL
EARLY CLASSIC, CA. A.D. 250 - 450
the anthropomorphic figure standing squarely and wearing an animal identity, possibly an opossum, attached on the reverse to a thin-walled cylindrical vessel with two openwork supports, the slightly flaring walls incised with two diagonal panels enclosing two highly stylized long-lipped monsters with features decorated with crosshatching, possibly a stylized Vision Serpent, with canine spout and open jaws baring teeth, pierced under hooded eyelids, the faces decorated with incised geometric tattoos, wearing a crested headdress and pierced earspools, the body covered in bands of chevron-shaped tattoos.
Height 6 7/8 in. (17.4 cm)
EARLY CLASSIC, CA. A.D. 250 - 450
the anthropomorphic figure standing squarely and wearing an animal identity, possibly an opossum, attached on the reverse to a thin-walled cylindrical vessel with two openwork supports, the slightly flaring walls incised with two diagonal panels enclosing two highly stylized long-lipped monsters with features decorated with crosshatching, possibly a stylized Vision Serpent, with canine spout and open jaws baring teeth, pierced under hooded eyelids, the faces decorated with incised geometric tattoos, wearing a crested headdress and pierced earspools, the body covered in bands of chevron-shaped tattoos.
Height 6 7/8 in. (17.4 cm)
Provenance
In the owner's collection since the 1970s.
Further details
Cf. Palazzo Grassi, pl. 328, for a round-bellied opossum
It is known that Hun Ah Pu Vuch, "One Hunter Opossum," was an animal which was singled out by the Quiche Maya for its cleverness and its brief reproductive cycle of only thirteen days, a sacred number for the Maya.
It is known that Hun Ah Pu Vuch, "One Hunter Opossum," was an animal which was singled out by the Quiche Maya for its cleverness and its brief reproductive cycle of only thirteen days, a sacred number for the Maya.