Maya. <em>Effigy Vessel in the Form of a Jaguar</em>, 400–500. Ceramic, pigment, 7 x 4 1/4 x 3 in. (17.8 x 10.8 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift in memory of Frederic Zeller, 2009.2.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2009.2.11_overall_PS11.jpg)

Effigy Vessel in the Form of a Jaguar

Artist:Maya

Medium: Ceramic, pigment

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:400–500

Dimensions: 7 x 4 1/4 x 3 in. (17.8 x 10.8 x 7.6 cm) mount: 7 1/2 × 4 1/2 × 3 3/4 in. (19.1 × 11.4 × 9.5 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 2009.2.11

Image: 2009.2.11_overall_PS11.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Small effigy vessel in the form of a jaguar figure with red and brown spots/markings and paws in the front. The vessel opening is in the figure's back, which appears to be hunchbacked. The figure appears to be a man wearing a full jaguar skin because small human-size teeth are visible in the mouth near the jaguar's fangs and human hands are depicted above jaguar paws. There is a small hole at the top of each arm. This piece probably dates from the Early Classic period and may be from the Peten or highlands of Guatemala (cf. Linda Schele and Mary Ellen Miller, The Blood of Kings, Fort Worth: Kimball Art Museum, 1986, plate 39, pp. 148 and 160). Condition: painted surface abraded, particularly on the head.

Brooklyn Museum