Date: 3rd-10th century
Geography: Mesoamerica, Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala
Culture: Mayan Civilization
Medium: Ceramic, pigment
Dimensions: H: 4 in. D: 11.5 in.
Credit Line: Gift of The John Young Foundation
Accession Number: 1998.1.95
The Maya Civilization occupied the Yucatan Peninsula primarily in Guatemala, Belize and Southern Mexico. The Mayan Civilization arose in 1800 BCE and grew until 900 CE, when the major cities and city centers were mysteriously abandoned. However, the Maya are still a living culture with 7 million descendants living in Mesoamerica and around the world today. The Maya are known for their complex cities and city planning, agriculture, mathematics, architecture, calendar system, astronomy, pottery and their unified language and complex hieroglyphic writing system. Mayan ceramics were created by either slab or coil techniques, and then decorated with colored slips. This piece is an example of a Classical utilitarian ware. It has a beautiful broad face that is decorated with red and black slip. The red slip covers the lip of the plate in both a thick band and also, a thin stripe underneath. The center is highlighted by two thin black bands, which encase a red slip figural representation. The plate itself is elevated by the use of "feet"; nubs of clay that are attached to the bottom of a vessel by the "slip and score" technique, which aids in raising the vessel up. In this instance there are three "feet" attached to the bottom.