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Incense burner base
Maya
Early Classic period
350–600
Object Place: Tiquisate, Guatemala, Pacific Slope
Medium/Technique
Earthenware
Dimensions
19.5 cm (7 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Landon T. Clay
Accession Number1988.1229b
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsCeramics – Pottery – Earthenware
Elaborate incense burners may have served as oracle vessels through which the spirit realm was contacted. This burner-produced by Maya artists influenced by Teotihuacan culture-was modeled in the form of a temple. A figure, perhaps a religious specialist, is adorned with divination mirrors and stands at the temple's entrance, with attendants holding incense bags. Burning coals and incense were placed in the base, the smoke rising through a chimney at the back and emerging from the temple's roof.
DescriptionHour glass-shaped base for a Teotihuacan-style incense burner (see 1988.1229a). It is embellished with a stylized nose ornament, and two circular elements attached to each side of the base recall typical Mesoamerican ear flares.
Elaborate incense burners may have served as oracle vessels through which the spirit realm was contacted. This two-part incense burner is modeled in the form of a temple, complete with an elaborate "roof comb". A figure, standing in the temple's doorway, is adorned with divination mirrors. He is flanked by attendants holding incense bags. Burning coals and incense were placed in the burner's base, the smoke rising through a chimney at the back of the burner's top, and emerging from the temple's roof.
Elaborate incense burners may have served as oracle vessels through which the spirit realm was contacted. This two-part incense burner is modeled in the form of a temple, complete with an elaborate "roof comb". A figure, standing in the temple's doorway, is adorned with divination mirrors. He is flanked by attendants holding incense bags. Burning coals and incense were placed in the burner's base, the smoke rising through a chimney at the back of the burner's top, and emerging from the temple's roof.
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.