GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This Late Classic vessel comes from the Maya site of Quirigua, located in the southeastern lowlands of Guatemala. The vase was excavated archaeologically in 1912 from Structure 2 (B) in the principal Temple Plaza. The structure was empty save for this vessel, which was found broken in the final room of the main corridor, along with a fragmented hematite mirror.
The modeled face is defined by a stubby nose and pronounced cheeks and brows, while the face is framed by a headband and red beard. The ribbing around the vase recalls a squash or cacao pod. An inset vessel lip suggests that it may have had a lid, perhaps to contain a cacao drink. The snub nose has prompted scholars to identify the representation as Ek Chuah (God M), the Maya god of merchants during the Postclassic period (1250-1521 CE). The Late Classic version of God M, however, remains unclear, suggesting that the vessel may depict another Maya figure. The vase may alternatively represent a bearded dwarf, signified by the unique facial features. Physical deformity is a recurring theme in Mesoamerican art, and dwarves and hunchbacks appear in Maya art throughout the Classic period. The modeled effigy vase thus remains a singular object of Maya arts, anticipating ongoing research.
Adapted from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Label text, A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2015.
NOTES
- Maya, Late Classic, 700–900 C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 01/30/15, 02/11/15, and 04/10/17.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks) -- Provenance Note: 1912: excavated by Earl H Morris (1889-1956), Structure 2 (b) of the Temple Plaza at Quirigua, southeastern lowland Maya region of Guatemala near the border with Honduras.[1] 2014: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased at auction, African Oceanic & Pre Columbian Art, Bonhams, New York, November 12, 2014, lot 156. [1] The St. Louis chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and the United Fruit Company co-founded the 1912 excavation where the effigy was unearthed. The object remained in the possession of the St. Louis (Missouri) chapter of the AIA until the November 12, 2014 sale at Bonhams.
- Fun Facts Source: Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, DMA unpublished material [DMA unpublished material [Kimberly L. Jones, "Acquisition Justification," in DMA Object File (2014.42) (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art, 2014)]; citing Morley 1935: 136-137.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Maya: AAT: 300017826
Lowland Maya: AAT: 300017099
Geography
Guatemala (nation): TGN: 7005493
Quiriguá (deserted settlement): TGN: 7007805
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
pigment: AAT: 300013109
clay: AAT: 300010439
glazing (coating): AAT: 300053914
incising: AAT: 300053847
polychrome: AAT: 300252261
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
Historical periods
Classic (mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016983
Late Classic Period: AAT: 300016986
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
cups (drinking vessels): AAT: ID: 300043202
chocolate cups (drinking vessels): AAT: 300043215
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
effigies (funerary sculpture): AAT: 300047108
figures: AAT: 300189808
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
deities: AAT: 300343850
God M (Ek Chuah / Maya deity of merchants): DMA
merchants: AAT: 300025245
Postclassic (Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016987
portrait: AAT: 300015637
male: AAT: 300189559
dwarfs (dwarfism / people / condition): AAT: 300236748
Temples: AAT: 300007595
fragments (object portions): AAT: 300117130
hematite (mineral): AAT: 300011105
mirrors: AAT: 300037682
nose: DMA
beards: AAT: 300379263
earspools: AAT: 300209300
headdress: AAT: 300046023
headbands (headgear): AAT: 300046115
squash (gourd): AAT: 300391217
cacao (cocoa bean / chocolate / Theobroma cacao): DMA
chocolate: AAT: 300387485
lip spouts: AAT: 300203343
lids (covers): AAT: 300045712
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1912: excavated by Earl H. Morris (1889-1956), Structure 2 (b) of the Temple Plaza at Quirigua, southeastern lowland Maya region of Guatemala near the border with Honduras [1], [2]
1912-2014: Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), St. Louis [1], [2]
From 2014: Dallas Museum of Art, The Roberta Coke Camp Fund, purchased at auction, "African Oceanic & Pre Columbian Art," Bonhams, New York, November 12, 2014, lot 156 [1], [3]
[1] The main source for this provenance was existing provenance information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The St. Louis chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and the United Fruit Company co-funded the 1912 excavation where the effigy was unearthed. The object remained in the possession of the St. Louis (Missouri) chapter of the AIA until the November 12, 2014 sale at Bonhams.
[3] The main source for this provenance is invoice from Bonhams (dated November 29, 2014, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- During the Late Classic Period, the site of Quirigua traded actively with the Maya lowlands, benefitting from control of the Motagua River—likely trading in obsidian and cacao. Located on the periphery of the southeastern Maya lowlands, Quirigua also bore similarity with architecture and sculpture on the nearby highland site of Copan. Under the reign of Quirigua ruler K’ak’ Tiwil Chan Yo’pat (Fire-Burning Celestial Lightning God), the main acropolis was refurbished and Structure 2 (B) was constructed around 720-740 CE. The most ornate structure in the Temple Plaza, Structure 2 was 13.5 by 8.2 meters and 5 meters high, and it remained open throughout the plaza use and expansion. In 1912, the structure was found empty save for the effigy vase broken in the final back room of the main corridor, along with fragments of a hematite mirror. The vase may have been deposited any time in the Temple Plaza use of the Late Classic period (700-900 CE).
- This Maya effigy vase has been published with clear photographs on numerous occasions since its excavation, beginning in 1913 through as recently as 1988 (also 1916, 1935, 1943, and 1980). In 1935, Sylvanus Morley reported on the 1912 expedition and summarized the effigy vase discovery by archaeologist Earl H. Morris: “Morris had better luck in the dark chamber at the eastern end of Structure 2, where in a dark interior corner he found at the floor-level a magnificent polychrome effigy vase, which looks not unlike an old English Toby Jar. Although this was broken into 23 pieces, all were found with the exception of one small fragment, and a perfect job of repair was therefore possible… The grotesque human head on the front is a remarkable example of free modeling... This effigy vase is one of the finest pieces of Maya pottery ever found, and illustrates the high technical perfection of the ceramic art at Quirigua.” Expanded research in the southeast Maya region will only continue to augment the importance of this historically excavated and impressively rare Maya effigy vase.
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General Description
This Late Classic vessel comes from the Maya site of Quirigua, located in the southeastern lowlands of Guatemala. The vase was excavated archaeologically in 1912 from Structure 2 (B) in the principal Temple Plaza. The structure was empty save for this vessel, which was found broken in the final room of the main corridor, along with a fragmented hematite mirror.
The modeled face is defined by a stubby nose and pronounced cheeks and brows, while the face is framed by a headband and red beard. The ribbing around the vase recalls a squash or cacao pod. An inset vessel lip suggests that it may have had a lid, perhaps to contain a cacao drink. The snub nose has prompted scholars to identify the representation as Ek Chuah (God M), the Maya god of merchants during the Postclassic period (1250-1521 CE). The Late Classic version of God M, however, remains unclear, suggesting that the vessel may depict another Maya figure. The vase may alternatively represent a bearded dwarf, signified by the unique facial features. Physical deformity is a recurring theme in Mesoamerican art, and dwarves and hunchbacks appear in Maya art throughout the Classic period. The modeled effigy vase thus remains a singular object of Maya arts, anticipating ongoing research.
Adapted from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Label text, A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2015.
Fun Facts
- During the Late Classic Period, the site of Quirigua traded actively with the Maya lowlands, benefitting from control of the Motagua River—likely trading in obsidian and cacao. Located on the periphery of the southeastern Maya lowlands, Quirigua also bore similarity with architecture and sculpture on the nearby highland site of Copan. Under the reign of Quirigua ruler K’ak’ Tiwil Chan Yo’pat (Fire-Burning Celestial Lightning God), the main acropolis was refurbished and Structure 2 (B) was constructed around 720-740 CE. The most ornate structure in the Temple Plaza, Structure 2 was 13.5 by 8.2 meters and 5 meters high, and it remained open throughout the plaza use and expansion. In 1912, the structure was found empty save for the effigy vase broken in the final back room of the main corridor, along with fragments of a hematite mirror. The vase may have been deposited any time in the Temple Plaza use of the Late Classic period (700-900 CE).
- This Maya effigy vase has been published with clear photographs on numerous occasions since its excavation, beginning in 1913 through as recently as 1988 (also 1916, 1935, 1943, and 1980). In 1935, Sylvanus Morley reported on the 1912 expedition and summarized the effigy vase discovery by archaeologist Earl H. Morris: “Morris had better luck in the dark chamber at the eastern end of Structure 2, where in a dark interior corner he found at the floor-level a magnificent polychrome effigy vase, which looks not unlike an old English Toby Jar. Although this was broken into 23 pieces, all were found with the exception of one small fragment, and a perfect job of repair was therefore possible… The grotesque human head on the front is a remarkable example of free modeling... This effigy vase is one of the finest pieces of Maya pottery ever found, and illustrates the high technical perfection of the ceramic art at Quirigua.” Expanded research in the southeast Maya region will only continue to augment the importance of this historically excavated and impressively rare Maya effigy vase.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- Maya, Late Classic, 700–900 C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 01/30/15, 02/11/15, and 04/10/17.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks) -- Provenance Note: 1912: excavated by Earl H Morris (1889-1956), Structure 2 (b) of the Temple Plaza at Quirigua, southeastern lowland Maya region of Guatemala near the border with Honduras.[1] 2014: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased at auction, African Oceanic & Pre Columbian Art, Bonhams, New York, November 12, 2014, lot 156. [1] The St. Louis chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and the United Fruit Company co-founded the 1912 excavation where the effigy was unearthed. The object remained in the possession of the St. Louis (Missouri) chapter of the AIA until the November 12, 2014 sale at Bonhams.
- Fun Facts Source: Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, DMA unpublished material [DMA unpublished material [Kimberly L. Jones, "Acquisition Justification," in DMA Object File (2014.42) (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art, 2014)]; citing Morley 1935: 136-137.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Maya: AAT: 300017826
Lowland Maya: AAT: 300017099
Geography
Guatemala (nation): TGN: 7005493
Quiriguá (deserted settlement): TGN: 7007805
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
pigment: AAT: 300013109
clay: AAT: 300010439
glazing (coating): AAT: 300053914
incising: AAT: 300053847
polychrome: AAT: 300252261
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
Historical periods
Classic (mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016983
Late Classic Period: AAT: 300016986
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
cups (drinking vessels): AAT: ID: 300043202
chocolate cups (drinking vessels): AAT: 300043215
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
effigies (funerary sculpture): AAT: 300047108
figures: AAT: 300189808
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
deities: AAT: 300343850
God M (Ek Chuah / Maya deity of merchants): DMA
merchants: AAT: 300025245
Postclassic (Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016987
portrait: AAT: 300015637
male: AAT: 300189559
dwarfs (dwarfism / people / condition): AAT: 300236748
Temples: AAT: 300007595
fragments (object portions): AAT: 300117130
hematite (mineral): AAT: 300011105
mirrors: AAT: 300037682
nose: DMA
beards: AAT: 300379263
earspools: AAT: 300209300
headdress: AAT: 300046023
headbands (headgear): AAT: 300046115
squash (gourd): AAT: 300391217
cacao (cocoa bean / chocolate / Theobroma cacao): DMA
chocolate: AAT: 300387485
lip spouts: AAT: 300203343
lids (covers): AAT: 300045712
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1912: excavated by Earl H. Morris (1889-1956), Structure 2 (b) of the Temple Plaza at Quirigua, southeastern lowland Maya region of Guatemala near the border with Honduras [1], [2]
1912-2014: Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), St. Louis [1], [2]
From 2014: Dallas Museum of Art, The Roberta Coke Camp Fund, purchased at auction, "African Oceanic & Pre Columbian Art," Bonhams, New York, November 12, 2014, lot 156 [1], [3]
[1] The main source for this provenance was existing provenance information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The St. Louis chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and the United Fruit Company co-funded the 1912 excavation where the effigy was unearthed. The object remained in the possession of the St. Louis (Missouri) chapter of the AIA until the November 12, 2014 sale at Bonhams.
[3] The main source for this provenance is invoice from Bonhams (dated November 29, 2014, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
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