Vessel with Ballplayer

c. 600–1000
Diameter: 18.1 x 15.6 cm (7 1/8 x 6 1/8 in.); Overall: 18 cm (7 1/16 in.)
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Did You Know?

This vessel was once broken into 34 pieces before being repaired.

Description

Many Mesoamerican people played ball games, using their hips rather than hands and feet to keep the heavy, solid rubber ball in play. Here a Maya ballplayer, wearing a thick protector to shield his torso from injury, dives to intercept the ball, which hovers in front of his face. The scene is situated within stepped walls, probably those of a ball court.
Vessel with Ballplayer

Vessel with Ballplayer

c. 600–1000

Mexico, Yucatán, Maya (Chocholá) style (250-900)

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