GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Ulúa River system runs through northwestern Honduras, connecting highland lakes and valleys to the Caribbean Sea. During the Late Classic period (600–900 CE), the Maya traded actively with communities in these regions, and this exchange enriched a regional polychrome ceramic tradition. The Ulua Polychrome vessels presented here mostly originated in the Comayagua or Lake Yojoa regions. The richly decorated vessels often functioned as fine serving wares. Bowls and jars were the most common forms, while tripod dishes were relatively rare. Cylinder vases may have been used to serve a cacao beverage common to the Maya.
The Ulua Polychrome tradition is defined by shared decorative elements executed in a palette of black, red, orange, and white paints. Generally, the interior rim of the vessel features a single or double black or red band while the exterior rim has basic motifs, such as step-and-frets (or step-and-volute). The exterior typically features a singular motif that repeats around the vessel. The motifs include animals local to the region, such as peccaries (wild pigs), water birds, monkeys, and jaguars. The naturalistic forms appear in profile, facing the viewer’s right, and may be framed by medallions.
During the Late Classic period, Ulua Polychrome vessels also adapted motifs introduced by Maya artisans and regional trade. Examples here include feathered serpents/fish, stylized items of regalia, and human figures dressed in Maya-style costumes. Ulúa artisans also appropriated Maya gods, such as God N, adapted here as an anthropomorphic form of Glyph H on the polychrome vessels.[1] These objects are critical indicators of both distinct regional identities and vibrant cultural exchanges.
[1] Ceramic class, subclass, time period, and iconographic identifications were graciously provided by Dr. Rosemary Joyce, University of California, Berkeley.
Excerpt from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Label text, Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History (EODIAH), 2017.
NOTES
Late Classic, 650–750 C.E. (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 03/06/14, 03/14/16, 03/21/16, 01/10/17, 05/02/17, and 05/09/17.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Ulúa (Pre-Columbian Northern Central American styles): AAT: 300017226
Geography
Honduras (nation): TGN: 7005554
Río Ulúa (river): TGN: 1131229
Ulúa Valley (Honduras): DMA
Lake Yojoa (Lago de Yojoa / lake): TGN: 1118801
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
clay: AAT: 300010439
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
polychrome: AAT: 300252261
Historical periods
Classic (mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016983
Late Classic Period: AAT: 300016986
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
bowls (vessels): AAT: 300203596
serving dishes: AAT: 300198294
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
bands (decorative): DMA
stepped frets (meanders (patterns)/motifs): AAT: 300010171
chevrons (motifs): AAT: 300009766
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
dots (geometric motif): AAT: 300010145
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
scrolls (spirals/motifs): AAT: 300010094
spirals (geometric figures): AAT: 300163114
Maya: AAT: 300017826
trade (function): AAT: 300061886
luxury (concept / condition): DMA
chocolate cups (drinking vessels): AAT: 300043215
chocolate: AAT: 300387485, cacao (cocoa bean / chocolate / Theobroma cacao): DMA
black (color): AAT: 300130920
red (color): AAT: 300126225
orange (color): AAT: 300126734
white (color): AAT: 300129784
animals (Animalia kingdom): AAT: 300249395
peccary (javelina or skunk pig / Suidae family): AAT: 300310427
birds (animals): AAT: 300266506
birds (motifs): AAT: 300375751
monkeys (animals): AAT: 300250028
jaguar (animals): AAT: 300310389
profiles (vantage point for figure): AAT: 300123319
medallions (ornament areas): AAT: 300077354
serpents (snakes/Serpentes suborder): AAT: 300250870
fish (animals): AAT: 300266085
regalia: AAT: 300185696
human figures: AAT: 300404114
costume: AAT: 300209261
deities: AAT: 300343850
anthropomorphic: AAT: 300010335
cartouches (ornament): AAT: 300010256
hieroglyphics (scripts / writing): AAT: 300028721
Maya (Classical Mayan language): AAT: 300388844
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1976: Nora and John Wise, New York [1]
From 1976: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, the Eugene McDermott Family, Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Murchison [1], [2]
[1] The main source for this provenance is letter from A.L. Woodman, Chief of Valuation Analysis Section of the Internal Revenue Service, to Harry S. Parker, Director of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts (dated July 23, 1979, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1976.W.10
Category
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General Description
The Ulúa River system runs through northwestern Honduras, connecting highland lakes and valleys to the Caribbean Sea. During the Late Classic period (600–900 CE), the Maya traded actively with communities in these regions, and this exchange enriched a regional polychrome ceramic tradition. The Ulua Polychrome vessels presented here mostly originated in the Comayagua or Lake Yojoa regions. The richly decorated vessels often functioned as fine serving wares. Bowls and jars were the most common forms, while tripod dishes were relatively rare. Cylinder vases may have been used to serve a cacao beverage common to the Maya.
The Ulua Polychrome tradition is defined by shared decorative elements executed in a palette of black, red, orange, and white paints. Generally, the interior rim of the vessel features a single or double black or red band while the exterior rim has basic motifs, such as step-and-frets (or step-and-volute). The exterior typically features a singular motif that repeats around the vessel. The motifs include animals local to the region, such as peccaries (wild pigs), water birds, monkeys, and jaguars. The naturalistic forms appear in profile, facing the viewer’s right, and may be framed by medallions.
During the Late Classic period, Ulua Polychrome vessels also adapted motifs introduced by Maya artisans and regional trade. Examples here include feathered serpents/fish, stylized items of regalia, and human figures dressed in Maya-style costumes. Ulúa artisans also appropriated Maya gods, such as God N, adapted here as an anthropomorphic form of Glyph H on the polychrome vessels.[1] These objects are critical indicators of both distinct regional identities and vibrant cultural exchanges.
[1] Ceramic class, subclass, time period, and iconographic identifications were graciously provided by Dr. Rosemary Joyce, University of California, Berkeley.
Excerpt from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Label text, Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History (EODIAH), 2017.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Late Classic, 650–750 C.E. (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 03/06/14, 03/14/16, 03/21/16, 01/10/17, 05/02/17, and 05/09/17.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Ulúa (Pre-Columbian Northern Central American styles): AAT: 300017226
Geography
Honduras (nation): TGN: 7005554
Río Ulúa (river): TGN: 1131229
Ulúa Valley (Honduras): DMA
Lake Yojoa (Lago de Yojoa / lake): TGN: 1118801
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
clay: AAT: 300010439
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
polychrome: AAT: 300252261
Historical periods
Classic (mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016983
Late Classic Period: AAT: 300016986
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
bowls (vessels): AAT: 300203596
serving dishes: AAT: 300198294
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
bands (decorative): DMA
stepped frets (meanders (patterns)/motifs): AAT: 300010171
chevrons (motifs): AAT: 300009766
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
dots (geometric motif): AAT: 300010145
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
scrolls (spirals/motifs): AAT: 300010094
spirals (geometric figures): AAT: 300163114
Maya: AAT: 300017826
trade (function): AAT: 300061886
luxury (concept / condition): DMA
chocolate cups (drinking vessels): AAT: 300043215
chocolate: AAT: 300387485, cacao (cocoa bean / chocolate / Theobroma cacao): DMA
black (color): AAT: 300130920
red (color): AAT: 300126225
orange (color): AAT: 300126734
white (color): AAT: 300129784
animals (Animalia kingdom): AAT: 300249395
peccary (javelina or skunk pig / Suidae family): AAT: 300310427
birds (animals): AAT: 300266506
birds (motifs): AAT: 300375751
monkeys (animals): AAT: 300250028
jaguar (animals): AAT: 300310389
profiles (vantage point for figure): AAT: 300123319
medallions (ornament areas): AAT: 300077354
serpents (snakes/Serpentes suborder): AAT: 300250870
fish (animals): AAT: 300266085
regalia: AAT: 300185696
human figures: AAT: 300404114
costume: AAT: 300209261
deities: AAT: 300343850
anthropomorphic: AAT: 300010335
cartouches (ornament): AAT: 300010256
hieroglyphics (scripts / writing): AAT: 300028721
Maya (Classical Mayan language): AAT: 300388844
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1976: Nora and John Wise, New York [1]
From 1976: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, the Eugene McDermott Family, Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Murchison [1], [2]
[1] The main source for this provenance is letter from A.L. Woodman, Chief of Valuation Analysis Section of the Internal Revenue Service, to Harry S. Parker, Director of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts (dated July 23, 1979, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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VIDEO ASSETS
rules
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1976.W.10
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object_notes_3_c-0139.xml.nores