Rare Pre-columbian Maya alabaster vase

Rare Pre-Columbian Maya alabaster vase from Mexico, circa 800 CE. Ancient artists shaped alabaster, a translucent gypsum that was often quarried in caves, into artifacts and vessels. Stone drills were employed to make vessels of this type, according to partially finished work from various parts of Mexico. The Maya prioritized transparency in their materials; whereas alabaster can be found in a variety of colors in Mexico, Maya examples are invariably a dazzling white. A rare specimen, most likely from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Other than a minor ancient loss to the rim, this huge sample is in fantastic shape! 9.9" in height, 8.2" in diameter.