Tripod Vessel with Lid

Culture: Maya
Period: Early Classic period, 250 BCE–600 CE
Date: c.350–450 CE
Material: Ceramic
from: Campeche state, Mexico, North and Central America
Classification: Ceramics, containers
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Current Location: On View, Gallery 114
Dimensions: a - body: 5 1/4 x 5 5/8 in. (13.3 x 14.3 cm)
b - lid: 4 5/8 x 6 in. (11.7 x 15.2 cm)
a & b: 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Morton D. May
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 153:1979a,b

NOTES

Although the human head that serves as this vessel’s handle clearly depicts a Maya lord, the tripod form is one the Maya imported from Teotihuacan in the Early Classic. Despite the distance between the central Mexican metropolis and the Maya region, there is abundant evidence demonstrating long-term contacts, trade, and perhaps even military conflict between the two. The vessel itself is quite simple, with an undecorated surface and hollow feet. The head is more complicated. The two beads visible below the nose may represent jade beads, and probably refer to Maya concepts about the precious energies associated with breathing and the sense of smell.

Provenance

- 1969
Everett Rassiga Inc., New York, NY, USA

1969 - 1979
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Everett Rassiga Inc. [1]

1979 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]

Notes:
[1] An invoice dated December 2, 1969 from Everett Rassiga Inc. to Morton D. May documents this purchase, listed as "Maya vessel w/ cover, Campeche, Early Classic Maya" [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].

[2] A letter dated July 5, 1979 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, October 10, 1979.

Back to search

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at [email protected].