Ring-Base Vessel

c. 600–1000

Ring-Base Vessel, c. 600–1000. Honduras, Maya, Ulúa Valley, 7th-10th Century. Marble; overall: 9.5 x 13.5 x 10.1 cm (3 3/4 x 5 5/16 x 4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener 1990.170 The Ulúa region of Honduras, to the east of Maya territory, is best known for white marble vessels with walls ornamented in low relief and handles carved as animal heads, here bats but also felines, birds, monkeys, and others. This small example is distinguished by the crispness of its carved scrolls and the triangular cutouts of its pedestal base. One of two vessels that were the first ancient American artworks collected by James and Florence Gruener.