Description:
This is a spectacular Mayan cylinder, which most likely comes from the Peten region of Guatemala and dates from the Middle to Late Classic period (circa 450 to 800 CE). During this period, which was the height of Maya civilization, painting was the primary art form, particularly on ceramic vessels. Artists often painted mythological events, frequently accompanied by hieroglyphs.
On this cylinder, which was probably created as a funerary object, we see two identical, polychrome scenes. Depicted in profile is the head of the mythical Och Chan, the Bearded Dragon or Serpent of the Underworld or Xibalba. He is shown with a tiered, ornamented headdress, a scroll eye, a ruffled beard, and above all a gaping open mouth with big teeth and a long-lipped snout, turned down, with feathers on it and undulating scrolls below the chin; his breath is also depicted. It seems the monster is spitting out a bone; it was suggested to me that this is from a human arm that he has just eaten!
The cylinder also displays a band of primary standard sequence hieroglyphs in shades of red and dark brown. The whole scene is bordered on both sides by a red band.
For the relation between Och Chan and God K (who is the essence of Och Chan, the essence of the sacred dance that empowers the Maize God to dance out of Xibalba, as well as the essence of human royal power that allows mankind access to the cosmos from the heavens down to earth and into Xibalba itself) see Helen Alexander, "God K on Maya Ceramic Vessels. Notes and Commentary".
For other depictions of Och Chan see entries in the Maya Vase Database, for instance Kerr nos. 114, 556, 719, 1006, 1198, 1250, 2210, and above all 3066 and 5882, or enter the name on the query form.
For a smaller and inferior example see Sotheby’s New York, November 1998, lot 185, which had an auction estimate of up to $8000 (= € 6900 then) plus buyer’s premium!
Dating:
Middle to Late Classic period, ca. 450 to 800 C.E.
Size:
Height 20.5 cm, diameter 10.3 cm.
Provenance:
Dutch private collection; previously with Artemis Gallery; prior to that US private collection, acquired before 1970.
Condition:
Intact; a very small bit of in-painting on one side to accentuate the creature; some in-painting to several of the hieroglyphs. A wonderful polychrome vase with a sensational scene.
SOLD
Stock number:
P0673