Fenton Vase facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fenton Vase |
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|---|---|
| Material | Polychromed ceramic |
| Size | 17.2 cm in diameter |
| Writing | Mayan Script |
| Created | 600-800 AD |
| Discovered | Nebaj, Guatemala |
| Present location | British Museum, London |
| Registration | AOA 1930-1 |
The Fenton Vase is a really cool ancient cup or vase from the Maya people. It was found in a place called Nebaj in the mountains of Guatemala. This vase is famous because it has amazing paintings and tells us about important Maya leaders. The British Museum bought it in 1930 and named it after someone who helped them get it. There are other neat Maya pots too, like the Princeton Vase.
Contents
What Does the Fenton Vase Show?
The Fenton Vase is covered in beautiful paintings. It shows a special event called a "tribute scene." This is when people bring gifts to an important leader. On the vase, a powerful Maya lord sits on a fancy throne in a palace. He points to gifts placed in front of a kneeling prince.
Who Else is in the Painting?
Behind the main lord, another person sits. They seem to be holding a codex. A codex was an ancient Maya book, often made from bark paper. Two other people stand on either side of the scene. The vase also has hieroglyphic writing all over it. Hieroglyphs are pictures or symbols that stand for words or sounds.
What Were They Wearing?
All the people shown on the vase wear fancy clothes and jewelry. The main lord, who is getting the gifts, has the most amazing outfit. He wears very special clothing and a large, decorated headdress. These details show how important and powerful he was.
Where Was the Fenton Vase Found?
This ancient ceramic pot was discovered in 1904. It was found at an old Maya site called Nebaj, located in the highlands of Guatemala. Later, an English collector named C.L. Fenton bought it.
How Did it Get to the British Museum?
The British Museum purchased the vase from Mr. Fenton in 1930. They got help from a group called the National Art Collections Fund. Since the late 1900s, four other similar vases have been found in the same area. This suggests there might have been a special workshop or artist in Nebaj long ago. These high-quality vases were likely made for important Maya lords. They probably wanted to show off big events from their lives.
