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Cylinder vase
Maya
Late Classic Period
A.D. 680–750
Place of Manufacture: northern Petén lowlands, Guatemala, Pacaya area, El Mirador Basin
Medium/Technique
Earthenware: brown-black and red on cream slip paint
Dimensions
11.4 x 12.5 cm (4 1/2 x 4 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Landon T. Clay
Accession Number1988.1173
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsCeramics – Pottery – Earthenware
Hun Ahaw, one of the Hero Twins, shoots his blowgun at Its'am-Yeh or 7-Macaw, the false sun of the previous creation era, whom the gods brought down because of his arrogance.
Catalogue Raisonné
MS1841, Kerr 1226
DescriptionCodex-style vase depicting the Hero Twin Hun Ajaw attacking Itsam-Yeh, the Principle Bird Deity, with his blowgun. The other twin Yax Balam hides behind the tree in which sits Itsam-Yeh. Two short hieroglyphic phrases describe the action and name the actors.
ProvenanceBetween about 1974 and 1981, probably purchased in Guatemala by John B. Fulling (b. 1924 – d. 2005), The Art Collectors of November, Inc., Pompano Beach, FL; May 20, 1987, sold by John B. Fulling to Landon T. Clay, Boston; 1988, year-end gift of Landon Clay to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 25, 1989)
NOTE: This is one in a group of Maya artifacts (MFA accession nos. 1988.1169 – 1988.1299) known as the “November Collection” after John Fulling’s company, the Art Collectors of November, Inc. John Fulling sold this group of objects to MFA donor Landon Clay in 1987, and they were given to the Museum the following year.
Evidence suggests that John Fulling built the November Collection from sources in Guatemala between 1974 and 1981. Only a portion of what he acquired during this time came to the MFA in 1988. It is not possible to determine precisely which objects were acquired when or from whom.
NOTE: This is one in a group of Maya artifacts (MFA accession nos. 1988.1169 – 1988.1299) known as the “November Collection” after John Fulling’s company, the Art Collectors of November, Inc. John Fulling sold this group of objects to MFA donor Landon Clay in 1987, and they were given to the Museum the following year.
Evidence suggests that John Fulling built the November Collection from sources in Guatemala between 1974 and 1981. Only a portion of what he acquired during this time came to the MFA in 1988. It is not possible to determine precisely which objects were acquired when or from whom.