*Vase cérémoniel Codex

with a slightly flared rim and representing four deities who are believed to be the origin of the creation of the world. These four figures, depicted in profile and seated in a row, have symbols on their arms and thighs that identify them as supernatural beings. In addition, all four share the following characteristics: their hair is combed into a raised bun and each has jaguar ears. On the other hand, each of the deities has its own particularities. The first god (from the left) stands out because he has a filed upper tooth. The second has a missing lower jaw, which is a characteristic feature of the god Pax. The third has a bifurcated tongue, perhaps representing wisps of smoke, and the fourth represents the Jaguar Paddler. The scene is painted on a cream background. The top and bottom of the vase are decorated all around with a wide band of orange, surrounded by a black line on the inside. The upper part of the vase is decorated with a frieze of hieroglyphs for decorative purposes only. Beige terracotta with light beige, orange, orange red and brown decoration. Two micro-cracks (on 10 cm and 3 cm) filled in. Maya - Mexico, 550 - 750 AD Height: 17.1 cm Diameter of the opening: 13.9 cm Diameter of the base: 12.7 cm Lot presented in Temporary Importation This vase is a superb example of Maya ceramics, a pictorial art considered to be one of the most sophisticated and refined manifestations of Mesoamerica. The richness of its decoration, enhanced by sublime and vivid colours, as well as the symbolic force of the painted scene, make it a unique work, testifying to the excellence of the Maya artists who, without metal tools or a potter's wheel, managed to create objects of unequalled finesse and beauty. Decorated vases were considered luxury objects and prestigious gifts that the elites of sometimes distant city-states offered and exchanged on various occasions, particularly to celebrate alliances. This vase, with its delicate, colourful design and rich iconography, bears witness to the perfect technical mastery of Maya artists. Provenance : - Former Yvon Collet collection, 1967 - Mermoz Gallery, 2004