Pre-Columbian, Maya Territories, Guatemala, Peten, possibly Dos Pilas area, Late Classic Period, ca. 600 to 900 CE. Wow! A stunning pottery tripod plate finely painted with the head of god K or K'awiil featuring the characteristic smoking characteristic smoking flare in his forehead, extended upper snout with long nose beads and crossed bands motif on the backside of the head. The head of god K is unusual in that it appears to be spurting blood scrolls from the bottom and sides and might allude to decapitation, perhaps of a royal family member since these god K images have an association with royalty and rulership. The head of the deity is surrounded by rectangular glyphic cartouches with turtle carapace patterns and symbols for MULUC (rain/ water) encompassing the rim band. All is supported by a trio of nubbin legs just beneath a flanged edge on the underside. Size: 10.1" Diameter x 2.2" H (25.7 cm x 5.6 cm)

K'awiil, also known as God K, is the Mayan deity associated with serpents, fertility, lightning, and maize. Given these associations, K'awiil (also spelled K'awiil) is oftentimes linked to the maize god, particularly the Tonsured Maize God phenotype, as well as Chaac (also spelled Chac and Chaak) the Rain God given his connections with lightning.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-private Estate collection, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, acquired 1960 to 2024

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#185549

Professionally repaired with some resurfacing and repainting over break lines in basin, though visible on verso. Expected weathering to underside, commensurate with age. Otherwise, superb imagery, pigment, and detail with clear glyphs, creating an overall impressive presentation. Modern burnish to basin.