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Cylinder vessel

7th–8th century
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
A key episode in modern mythical narratives describes a young suitor who, disguised as a hummingbird, approaches a closely guarded maiden and sets creative acts in motion. Here, a young man has a distinctive hummingbird attribute: a curved beak projects from his nose to pierce a flower. He is probably the mythical suitor of the story, and approaches the maiden—the Moon Goddess—while she sits on a celestial throne behind an old god, likely her protective father.


Vasija cilíndrica
México o Guatemala
Siglo VII al VIII
Cerámica, pigmento

Un episodio esencial en las narrativas míticas modernas describe cómo un joven pretendiente, convertido en colibrí, logró abordar a una muchacha que permanecía muy resguardada. La unión pone en marcha el proceso de creación. Aquí vemos a un joven que lleva frente a su nariz el atributo distintivo de un colibrí: un pico curvo que atraviesa una flor. Tal vez se trata del personaje de esa historia mitológica en el momento que intenta acercarse a la diosa de la luna. Ella está sentada en su trono, detrás de un dios anciano que, probablemente, sea su celoso padre.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cylinder vessel
  • Date: 7th–8th century
  • Geography: Mexico or Guatemala
  • Culture: Maya
  • Medium: Ceramic, pigment
  • Dimensions: H. 9 5/16 × Diam. 5 9/16 in. (23.7 × 14.13 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Vessels
  • Credit Line: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 77.98
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing