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MAYA POLYCHROME CERAMIC PLATE
Maya Polychrome Ceramic Plate
Classic Period (c. 600–900 CE), Mesoamerica
Dimensions: 13 × 35 cm
Painted ceramic plate showcasing the artistic and symbolic sophistication of the ancient Maya. Decorated in red slip on a cream ground, the central motif features a mythological scene rendered with dynamic linework and intricate iconography. The figures—possibly deities, mythic creatures, or rulers—are framed by geometric and symbolic borders, reflecting both cosmological and ritual significance.
Maya ceramics such as this were often used in ceremonial feasts, burials, or elite offerings, serving not only as functional vessels but also as carriers of sacred narratives. The circular composition and repeating motifs reinforce the Maya worldview of cyclical time and the cosmic order.
The red pigments, derived from natural minerals, highlight the Maya mastery of polychrome painting techniques, while the worn surface reveals centuries of use and burial. Today, this piece offers invaluable insight into the interconnectedness of Maya art, ritual, and cosmology.
Maya Polychrome Ceramic Plate
Classic Period (c. 600–900 CE), Mesoamerica
Dimensions: 13 × 35 cm
Painted ceramic plate showcasing the artistic and symbolic sophistication of the ancient Maya. Decorated in red slip on a cream ground, the central motif features a mythological scene rendered with dynamic linework and intricate iconography. The figures—possibly deities, mythic creatures, or rulers—are framed by geometric and symbolic borders, reflecting both cosmological and ritual significance.
Maya ceramics such as this were often used in ceremonial feasts, burials, or elite offerings, serving not only as functional vessels but also as carriers of sacred narratives. The circular composition and repeating motifs reinforce the Maya worldview of cyclical time and the cosmic order.
The red pigments, derived from natural minerals, highlight the Maya mastery of polychrome painting techniques, while the worn surface reveals centuries of use and burial. Today, this piece offers invaluable insight into the interconnectedness of Maya art, ritual, and cosmology.
