Pre-Columbian Maya pottery ear ornaments
Description
MAYA POTTERY EAR ORNAMENTS, GUATEMALA, CLASSIC PERIOD, CA. 250–900 AD
A fine matched pair of hand-modeled and pierced pottery ear ornaments, each uniquely shaped—one with a circular gear-like form with perforated dot decoration, the other with a radiating star-shaped form with a central raised boss; both with flared cylindrical shafts and traces of orange and black pigment remaining. Likely used ceremonially or as elite personal adornment, these ornaments exhibit excellent preservation and finely detailed workmanship characteristic of Classic Period Maya ceramic artistry.
Height of larger: 1.75 in (4.4 cm)
Provenance: Ex. Private Austin, Texas collection, acquired through family descent; originally collected in the 1960s.