Beautiful cylindrical vase representing two seated dignitaries. The first one wears an imposing headdress with floral decoration. His face in profile is turned towards two glyphs. The second is effaced, but his majestic feathered headdress can still be seen. Polychrome terracotta with traces of roots. Maya culture, Classical period, Mexico. 500 - 900 AD. Height 16.5 - Diameter: 9.5 cm (wear and paint losses) Provenance: Sale by Maître Laurin-Guilloux-Buffetaud-Tailleur at Drouot, 22 May 1990, lot 344. Expert : Mrs Bénédicte Hamard.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.