A large maya polychrome vase, Late Classic, ca. A.D. 550-950

the elaborate and dramatic depiction of death and sacrifice enacted in the Underworld by seven way figures, depicted in a left to right direction in accordance with the night sun moving through the Underworld, featuring depictions of the Hero Twins and God A,  the dominant skeletal decapitator God A in animated posture with blood splattered paper before his gaping jaw, holding a plate in the left hand and decapitated head held high in the right,  his backrack decorated with death eyes, behind him in a black cartouche sits a Hero Twin identified by his headband and tie dyed scarf, with bones attached to headdress, below him the faint image of the Jaguar Lord of the Underworld crawling toward God A , with a serpent wrapped around the neck, the Hero Twin depicted upside down within the engulfing flames of the Underworld, gracefully holding an implement, above floats the coiled bearded dragon, Och Chan with large deer ear and sacrificed human head emerging from his gaping jaws, the last two way figures versions of the Hero Twins, the top 'floating'  figure of death within the double-headed sinuous body of chapat, a centipede (as identified by the third glyph in the projecting diagonal band), and below a seated figure with a sacrificed head in his hands and surrounded by a water band containing large fish, with a Primary Standard Sequence including the name of the person the vase was made for, and the glyphs identifying the mythical event, and its use for containing chocolate.

Stendahl Galleries, 1977

Francis Robicsek, The Smoking Gods, Tobacco in Maya Art, History and Religion, University of Oklahoma Press, 1978, colorplates 175-178, and drawing, fig. 166,  pp. 152-153;  also in

Hellmuth (1976:4)

Stuart (1977:39)

Clarkson (1978:105, fig. 2)

Quirarte (1979:130, figs. 8-10)

Robicsek and Hales (1981:33, vessel 54)

www.mayavase.com, K 1256

Overall very good, has 3 main breaks and ancient repairs, areas worn near base as shown. Some line strengthening on eroded areas but mainly the faint or worn spots were left . Lines not added but minimally connected. Prerestoration images available.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
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This dramatic vision of the Underworld is closely related to other vessels depicting the antics of the way figures- the alter-egos or companion spirits of royal and noble clans. It is further suggested that way spirits are personifications of witchcraft spells and can roam outside a body at night.  Recent epigraphic research notes the name of a significant nobleman on this and two other vases; suggesting the vase is part of a group commemorating a meeting of rival and allied powers, and the ensuing events of conflict, sacrifice and tribute. See mayavase.com,  K791,  K3831, and K3395, for related vessels; and Miller and Martin (2004:157).

See rollout photo on inside front cover