Cylinder vase with ballgame scene

Artist Maya artist(s)

CultureMaya

OriginPeten Lowlands, Guatemala

PeriodLate Classic Period (600-850 CE)

Date650-750

MediumEarthenware with slip

DimensionsOverall: 24.2 x 12 cm (9 1/2 x 4 3/4 in.)

DescriptionMaya tall cylindrical polychrome vase, Late Classic period, with a ballgame scene, and may also contain Popol Vuh (The Sacred Book of the Quiche Maya) imagery. Two youthful protagonists on the base are playing ball with each other while being observed by a third person with a painted black face, The large rubber ball is seen against a stepped structure which probably represents one side of the court. The figures wear the standard ballgame equipment: an enormous and probably cumbersome protective belt; a knee pad on one leg; and a protective binding on the wrists.

According to Michael Coe, it may be that the two figures are the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, and that their respective deer and feather headdresses are distinguishing features of each as supernatural ball-players. The third figure probably represents one of the Lords of the Underworld.

The glyph band below the rim is the Primary Standard Sequence.

Credit LineGift of George and Helen Gardiner

Object numberG83.1.109

Classifications

Ancestral Abiayala

Sub-classification

Mesoamerica

Collections

Status

On view