Copador Style Mayan Polychrome Bowl, 300 CE - 900 CE
Terracotta
5.25 x 3.75
PF.5644
Further images
The exterior of this vessel is divided into two bands. The upper band is an alternating series of two glyphs repeated three times. The first glyph takes the form of...
The exterior of this vessel is divided into two bands. The upper band is an alternating series of two glyphs repeated three times. The first glyph takes the form of a head. One can clearly discern the eyes and the mouth and nose in the contours of the profiles. This figure might also have an ear ornament on seen to the left of the eye. The other glyph looks like a swirling wave just about to break. Both symbol are connected to another glyph shaped like a stylized letter “E” reversed, with two red circles filling the space between the horizontal lines. The lower band of the bowl depicts two contorted and elongated figure squeezed into the narrow space. Stretched out along the bottom, these emaciated “swimmers” appear to support the upper glyphs with their hands and feet. They both wear a red oval shape adorned with wings above their torsos. Might these figures be gods or shaman supporting the message inscribed above them? The decoration of this vessel is a very precise and significant symbolic language. Unfortunately, the vocabulary has been lost to us. However, the beauty of this pictorial statement can still be easily appreciated.