Monkey Effigy Vessel
Artist:
Unknown
Place made:Tiquisate, Escuintla department, Guatemala
General region:North and Central America
Culture: Maya
Period: Pre-Columbian
Date: ca. A.D. 900-1100
Medium: Earthenware
Dimensions:
h. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); w. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); d. 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Betty and Bob Kelso
Object number: 2005.12.26
Provenance: with Lt. Col. and Mrs. Robert Kelso, San Antonio, TX, by 2005; by gift to the San Antonio Museum of Art, 2005
Label Text
This fragile vessel depicts what is likely a spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), one of only three primate species in the Maya region. The Maya considered the monkey to be a patron of the arts (which included writing) and entertainment. The spider monkey in particular was also a symbol of fertility. (Bernadette Cap, 2021)
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
