The Fenton Vase

Polychrome ceramic vessels were a symbol of status and power for the Maya. They were used by the elite and are found as offerings in rich burials. A large number of particularly elegant polychrome vases, bowls, and dishes from the Late Classic period (AD 600-800) were recovered from the Maya area, at sites such as Tikal, Holmul and Seibal in the lowlands, and Nebaj in the highlands.

The vessels provide an important source of information about Maya society in the Classic period, with text and image illustrating historical and mythological events. The scenes depict humans in a variety of social roles such as scribes and merchants, supernatural figures, impersonators, animal characters, vegetation, glyphic texts and architectural structures.

This beautiful example was found at Nebaj, a Maya site in the highlands of modern-day Guatemala. A common theme on Nebaj style polychrome vessels is tribute. The scene here represents two seated figures, one of whom, dressed in the most elaborate headdress, could be the most important person of the group. This figure is gesturing towards a basket thought to contain tribute brought to him by the kneeling man that faces him. Above the basket are a series of six hieroglyphs which indicate his name and titles, while the other glyph panels correspond to those of the other four figures in the scene. The seated figure behind the figure closest to the basket is thought to be writing accounts, and that this exercise was represented on such a carefully designed and executed pot, suggests the importance of book-keeping within this society. The jewellery, clothing, and headdresses adorned with flowers worn by the figures represented here suggest that they may be members of an elite.