Large Maya Polychrome Vase of a Palace Scene Late Classic, ca. A.D. 550-950

masterfully painted with an richly detailed audience scene within palace walls of an ahawob, or lord, reviewing an offering before him, his hand with long graceful fingers extended towards the feathered perforators (or possibly quills) resting atop the stacks of bundled offerings and a large plate of feasting foods, the attendant gesturing eagerly towards his offering, with whitened face and loincloth with detailed edging, the lord leaning against a large white cotton pillow and wearing a black patterned knotted ex with flowing sash, jade bead necklace with effigy pendant, and deer's head headdress incorporating a 'caban curl' motif with feathers cascading at the back, the kneeling attendant on the lord's left offering an antlered jaguar's head symbolic of the mythical waterlily jaguar, a jaguar skin pillow behind, and the palace walls decorated with tie-dyed swaggered textiles, a vessel hanging above in a macrame sling, with a diagonally patterend band defining the palace room, three sets of secondary glyphs in the field (one possibly naming the painter of the vase), and a Primary Alternative glyph band above. 

Florida private collection, acquired prior to 1972
Sotheby's, New York, November 18, 1991, lot 197
Acquired by the present owner from the above

mayavase.com, K3008, originally photographed in 1972

Overall excellent; vessel intact; the surface has been coated with wax or stabilizer covering the dirt and thus the grainy texture that is visible.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Maya vase painting has been a rich source of information about the Maya world ranging from epigraphy to mythology since the 1970's. Recent interdisciplinary studies and exhibitions have given new perspectives on the complex narration of historical information on ceramics. The study of various uk'ib (cylinder vessels made for drinking chocolate) from the Ik region (known commonly as Motul de San José) has identified specific artists and their noble patrons (Reents-Budet 1994); (Just 2012). 
These finely painted vessels are shown to be an important medium recording specific dynastic events and details of courtly life that were not conveyed on stone monuments or architecture. The portability of the vessels, as trade items and presentation gifts, enabled various courts within the Ik kingdom to exchange styles and disperse the narratives of specific individuals (Just 2012:65).

This vase is stylistically related to one in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Washington D.C. (mayavase.com, K2784), which documents a presentation scene of young nobles in the palace court of the ruler Tali' K'in Chahk. Both vessels feature the offering and review of elaborate gifts within a palace setting, and are painted in a distinct palette and brushwork style particular to this court, or region, within the Ik kingdom. For other vessels see Just (2012:85), and mayavase.com for vessels K7268 and K8469.