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Museum Collections - Mesoamerica - Maya (Before A.D. 1520) - Artifact #4
WHO: Maya culture
WHERE: Belize
WHEN: Late Classic Period, A.D. 650-850
WHAT: Holmul style cylinder vase depicting a dancing lord (ruler). He dances within a frame created by a horizontal sky-band (above him) and vertical hieroglyphic text which may reflect the architecture of Maya royal court buildings. The broad stairways of some Maya buildings were probably used in public performances as stages for dance rituals and pageants. The imagery of the scene depicted around 360° of this vase suggests this dance may have been part of a war ritual.
This vase was very probably used for the consumption of cacao beverages during feasting and other rituals.
Height: 22.8cm
HOW: Hand-formed earthenware, polychrome slip painting.
MUSEUM: Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. G83.1.118
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