Mayan Polychrome Bowl, 300 CE - 900 CE
Terracotta
7.375 x 3
PF.5676
Further images
The exterior of this vessel is divided into two bands. The upper band is an alternating series of glyphs. The first glyph takes the form of a head. One can...
The exterior of this vessel is divided into two bands. The upper band is an alternating series of glyphs. 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 wear an ear ornament seen to the left of the eye. The other glyph looks like a swirling wave just about to break next to a red circle; this glyph also reappears on the interior of the bowl. Both symbol are connected to another glyph. This symbol is a red horseshoe curve on its side with two red dots in the center. Thinner arching lines extend from the dots to the edges of the curve. 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 object adorned with wings above their torsos. Might these figures be contorted 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.