*Vase cylindrique

The composition of the scene is singular and out of the ordinary: the surface of the vase is covered with a design of a black woven net, thus delimiting ten distinct areas. Nine of these areas are painted in cream and decorated in the centre with a motif consisting of a black dot bordered by a red ring, while the tenth area depicts a figure seen in profile. This is Kinich Ahau, the Sun God, recognizable by a number of characteristic attributes such as the protrusion at the corner of his mouth, his aquiline nose, his square eye and his bound bun. He is seated behind the net, his head emerging from the woven ties. His left arm is bent and rests on his legs at the level of his stomach. His closed hand is treated realistically. He is dressed in a loincloth decorated with an ear of corn and adorned with a long tubular pectoral and a circular earring with pendant. On the upper part of the vase, the rim is decorated with a row of purely decorative standard glyphs, itself bordered by two wide red bands. The base of the vase is decorated with a border composed of a series of triangles successively inverted and coloured alternately with red and black stripes. Beige terracotta with red, orange and black polychrome decoration Maya - Mexico, 450 - 750 AD 24 x 9.8 cm This vase is particularly interesting for its classical style, since it shows the typical features of the late Maya period with its slender cylindrical shape, its figurative painting and its border of decorative glyphs, as well as the representation of the figure in profile, showing its most flattering aspect, and its bright colours such as orange-red, cream, yellow and black. The vase is also distinguished by its singular composition and iconography that can be associated with the theme of the Inframonde. It is a splendid example of polychrome ceramics and testifies to the technical mastery of Maya artists. Provenance : - Former Yvon Collet collection since 1968 - Mermoz Gallery, 2003 Lot presented in Temporary Importation Broken and glued