Much like some believe ancient spirits continue
to haunt the earth long after their death, sacred
objects continue to retain their spiritual powers,
accumulated through centuries of reverence,
long after the civilization that created them fades
into oblivion. This object is one such example.
Babilonia polychrome is the distinctive painted,
pictorial style of pottery made in northeastern
Honduras. The people of this region created a
culture that drew from indigenous traditions
(specifically relating to the Lenca people who
inhabit this region) combined with influences
from their powerful Mayan neighbors as well as
others. This vessel merges a Mayan style
composition and painting technique with imagery
representing the religious mythology and
political ideologies of the Lenca. However,
because very few Lenca survived contact with the
Spaniard Conquistadors, little is known of their
ancient beliefs and social structure. The feet of
the tripod are decorated with a checkerboard
pattern. The lip of the vessel is emphasized by a
series of black and red painted strokes. The
most unique feature of this masterpiece is the
three large circular carved black medallions that
adorn the sides of the body. These medallions
surmount a rectangular “pedestal” decorated
with a checkerboard pattern similar to the feet.
This design may symbolize a banner set atop a
small platform, a common architectural feature
at archaeological sites throughout the southern
region. The vessel is further decorated with
three panels depicting a seated figure dressed in
an ornate costume and headdress recalling those
worn by the ruling elite throughout
Mesoamerica. Above and below each panel is a
glyph-like icon that might relate to depictions of
saurian creatures that represent the earth or the
sky, depending on the context. Overall, this
vessel is a masterpiece of Mayan pottery. The
artist seamlessly merged painting and carving
together into one. There is a tremendous
balance and harmony between the forms and
colors of the composition. Found in a tomb, this
vessel was as important in the afterlife as it was
in this world.
- (PF.5625)
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