Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico and northern Central America, Mayan Territories, Late Classic period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. An interesting and striking cylinder vessel, painted a shiny black over its entire surface, with a wide horizontal band around its exterior with repeated large, low relief crosses and S-shaped labyrinth motifs. The face of each labyrinth is studded with lightly raised dots. The crosses immediately call to mind the Temple of the Cross at one of the most well-known and grand Mayan sites, Palenque, Mexico. The cross motif there has been interpreted to be a representation of the World Tree, embodying the four cardinal directions. The center of the cross is an axis mundi, connecting the three worlds sacred to the Mayans: the earth, the Underworld, and the sky. Size: 7" W x 6.25" H (17.8 cm x 15.9 cm)

Provenance: collection of the late Alfred E. Stendahl, Stendahl Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired prior to 1990

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#126358

Repaired from multiple pieces. Nice root marks on interior of piece, with some encrustation.