Vessel of the Dancing Lords Possibly 750 - 800

This cylindrical vessel was made by the Maya artist Ah Maxam, who painted it with slip and pigment on a ceramic base. The scene on the vessel depicts a complex dance ritual, probably performed by members of the Maya elite. Notice the elaborate costumes and headdresses of the figures, as well as the presence of musical instruments. Vessels like this were often used in ritual contexts, and the imagery would probably have reinforced the social and political power of the Maya ruling class. The dancing lords would have evoked stories familiar to those Maya for whom this vessel was made. In interpreting a work like this, art historians might draw on a variety of resources, including archaeological reports, ethnographies, and studies of Maya hieroglyphic writing. By understanding the social and institutional context in which an artwork was made, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning and significance.