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Cylinder vessel

7th–9th 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.
The surreal creatures that populate these vessels—three white dogs; a peccary, or wild pig, eating fire—pertain to the realm of dreams and spirits that manifest while sleeping. Indeed, captions on each vessel identify the characters as way (dreams) belonging to lords of specific cities. These images relate to acts of sorcery—powerful people could harness them to inflict sickness and damage on their enemies.


Vasija cilíndrica
Naranjo, Petén, Guatemala
Siglo VII al IX
Cerámica, pigmento

Las criaturas surrealistas que muestra esta vasija –tres perros blancos, un pecarí que come fuego– pertenecen al ámbito de los sueños o seres que se manifiestan mientras se duerme. De hecho, las anotaciones en este recipiente identifican a los personajes como way (sueños) que pertenecían a los señores de ciudades específicas. Estos seres se relacionan con actos de brujería; es decir, que podían ser utilizados por poderosas personas para provocar enfermedades o dañar a sus enemigos.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cylinder vessel
  • Date: 7th–9th century
  • Geography: Guatemala, Naranjo, Peten
  • Culture: Maya
  • Medium: Ceramic, pigment
  • Dimensions: H. 12 1/8 × D. 6 9/16 in. (30.8 × 16.7 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Vessels
  • Credit Line: Loan courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, gift of Edwin Pearlman and museum purchase
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing