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Drinking cup

Maker Maya

Date600-800

Possible placeMexico, North and Central America

Possible placeGuatemala, North and Central America

MediumCeramic with slip decoration

Dimensionsoverall: 5 7/8 in. x 5 5/8 in. (14.9 cm x 14.3 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase, The Dorothy Johnston Towne (Class of 1923) Fund

Object number2001.57

Status

On view

ProvenanceMr. and Mrs. Peter Wray; Manoogian Collection

RightsCopyright is retained in accordance with U.S. Copyright laws

Photo creditDavis Museum at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA

More Information

Object Label

This vessel may have once held a spicy drink made from cacao, more like modern mole than hot chocolate. The Maya deity K’awiil, associated with royal lineage and succession, as well as lightning, appears on both sides. He is identified by a prominent upturned nose and the torch set into his forehead that generates the smoke enveloping him in a serpentine cloud. The monochromatic and calligraphic drawing resembles those in ancient Maya books, where pages were often framed in red.