Carved Vessel

c. 600–1000
Overall: 12.1 x 16.3 cm (4 3/4 x 6 7/16 in.)
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Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

The text on the rim mentions a young man, suggesting this vessel was involved in a rite-of-passage ceremony.

Description

A firefly is carved on both sides of this Maya vessel, which is from the Yucatán Peninsula. Among the most common of insects to appear in Maya art, the firefly seems to be associated with things that twinkle in the dark—stars and cigars, the latter a symbol that identifies creatures of the night.
Carved Vessel

Carved Vessel

c. 600–1000

Mexico, Campeche, Maya, Chocholá Style

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