Live Auction 16219An Adventurous Spirit: An Important Private Collection Sold to Benefit a Charitable Foundation
A Mayan Terracotta Polychrome Vessel
Lot 67

A Mayan Terracotta Polychrome Vessel

Late Classic, CIRCA A.D. 550-950

Closed13 December 2018

Price Realised

GBP 2,125

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A Mayan Terracotta Polychrome Vessel
Late Classic, CIRCA A.D. 550-950
The cylinder vessel painted in deep orange against the pale orange ground on each side with the profile head of the Hero Twins, each with scrolls emanating from the nose, adorned with complex headdress incorporating a knotted element and faunal motifs, at the back further faunal elements, a band of two repeated glyphs encircling the rim
6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm.) high

Private Collection, Florida, late 1960s.
Acquired from the above, 1970s; Private American Collector.
Acquired from the above, 1990s; Florida Private Collection.
Consigned by the above; sold, anonymous sale; Christie’s, New York, 23 May 2007, lot 105, where acquired.

Specialist note

The Hero Twins are famous Mayan semi-gods called Hunahpu and Xbalanque whose story is narrated in the Popol Vuh, “The Book of Council”. The myth of divine hero-twins is known in most Native American traditions. They are present in myths and tales both as legendary ancestors, and heroes that need to overcome various trials. Death and rebirth are suggested by many of the hero-twins appearing in the form of men-fish.