Throughout Mesoamerica, a region spanning parts of present-day Mexico and portions of Central America, the jaguar was symbolic of spiritual, physical, and political power. This footed cylinder vessel depicting jaguars has been stylistically attributed to the last century of the Late Classic period (ca. 600–900 CE) from the Maya Lowland region in present-day northern Honduras. The uniform composition, repetition of form, and division of decorations into distinct bands are common characteristics of periphery Maya or “Mayoid” civilizations located in the Lower Ulúa Valley, an area known for blending Maya motifs with those of other Central American cultures.
The top band at the mouth of the vessel depicts five painted scorpions, which often symbolize ceremonies involving bloodletting or auto-sacrifice by political elites or religious Maya leaders. The nourishment offered to the gods and ancestors during these rituals was partially intended to keep the human world safe from supernatural entities. Although the scorpion is an earthly creature, it was primarily associated with the Maya Underworld (Xibalba). In representations of the Creation, it can be seen peering into the human realm from Xibalba as it sits at the base of the World Tree (Wakah-Chan), which grows from the underworld and connects the earth to the heavens.
The second band is a series of designs incised into the clay’s surface that represent the Waterlily Monster, a fearsome Maya Creation being. In some iterations of the Creation, the World Tree is seen sprouting from the Waterlily Monster’s skull that separates the realms, whereas in others it is shown at different parts of the tree, such as the trunk or branches. On this object the Waterlily Monster becomes a celestial barrier between the scorpions and jaguars.
Painted around the body of the vessel, three spotted jaguars with sharp claws and teeth, emphasized in red, appear ready to pounce. The predatory feline’s relationship to earthly and otherworldly power made it a popular motif in Mesoamerican art, particularly when referencing rulers, warfare, and spirituality. In pairing the jaguar with the scorpion and Waterlily Monster, the vessel’s imagery may have served as an important reminder for maintaining balance and order between the natural and supernatural worlds.
