A rare Maya cantharo from eastern El Salvador, ca. 600 800 AD. The wide spout of this 7-1/2 high Oriente style vessel is executed in the form of a human head wearing a segmented headband and is adorned with a necklace representing a two-headed serpent. The chamber is decorated with broad panels conveying clothing, but reminiscent of a ball court design. Very rare type.
An excellent Maya whistle figure from the Tiquisate area of Guatemala, ca. 600 900 AD. This standing shaman is 8 tall and is depicted wearing an elaborately detailed monkey mask. A rare type, with great tone, nice mineral deposits and just minor losses.
One of the most collectible/desirable of all Pre-Columbian art, and one that is getting almost impossible to find! Important and published sitting Baby Figure from the Olmec culture of southeastern Mexico - Las Bocas - ca. 1500-400 BC. Shown in seated position, in light terracotta covered with kaolin slip. 6"H x 4"W, in choice, intact condition (very rare to find a figure that was never fragmented) ... Click for details
An unusual Maya Priest figure from the Tiquisate area of Guatemala, ca. 500 800 AD. He is 5-1/8 high, posed standing, with arms spread wide. He is depicted wearing a mask with hollow eyes and puffed out cheeks, perhaps depicting the Wind God. He is wearing a loincloth and belt with matching ear ornaments, as well as decorative elements on his feet. In excellent condition, with good mineral deposits.
A fine Maya cylinder jar from Guatemala, ca. 500 - 800 AD. This choice carved example is 5-1/2" high, 6" in diameter and is decorated with a trio of crisply incised Monster heads. The three panels are outlined with red bands, which mirror the rim decor and set off the designs from the orange slip. Overall in excellent condition, with a couple professionally restored stress cracks and good mineral deposits.
A beautiful Maya figural vessel from El Salvador, ca. 600 - 900 AD. This 6-1/2" high "Reinita" (Little Queen) jar is adorned with the traditional headdress, ear ornaments and elaborate necklace. She depicts a princess and the object in her mouth represents a piece of jade, which would be placed in the mouth as part of the burial ceremony, indicating that this vessel was a funerary object belonging to a deceased individual. Traces of rare blue paint remain. Small chips to either side of the h... Click for details
An excellent Maya toad effigy vessel from El Salvador, ca. 600 900 AD. This elaborately decorated example is 7-1/4 long, 4-1/2 high and features four figures. Two of these are Swimmers and probably depict the Hero Twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque; one figure is depicted seated and the fourth is portrayed playing the ballgame. The toad is Buffo Marinus, which secretes a toxin with psychotropic properties from its glands. Its legs are molded in relief, with the nicely detailed head and tail p... Click for details
A beautiful Maya plate from the Peten region of Guatemala, ca. 550 - 700 AD. This 10" diameter classic tripod example has the serrated flange and rattles built into the feet. The center is decorated with a large glyph emblem denoting the four cardinal points, surrounded by a decorative band and additional geometric designs on the shoulder. Intact, with strong bright paint, good deposits and only minor pitting.
A fine Maya tetrapod plate from Honduras, ca. 600 900 AD. This lovely polychrome example is 9-1/2 in diameter and stands on four legs executed in the form of tapir heads. The heads are hollow and contain rattles. The piece is completely covered with orange slip, which is enhanced with red wash and red linear design elements. The design in the center of the plate is obscured by heavy dendrites. Intact, with strong mineral deposits and a small ancient rim ding.
An excellent Maya polychrome tripod bowl from Honduras, ca. 500 - 900 AD. It is 6-7/8" in diameter and features an Underworld motif with stylized serpents, interspersed with woven mat designs, which indicate the elite status of the owner. The chevron rim band is an unusual design element for ceramics from this region, as it is typically found on Chama pieces from Guatemala, although the upper rim dιcor is a traditional southern Maya jaguar spot pattern. Perfect.
