Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup) depicting a mythological scene
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Cylinder vase depicting a dance scene
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Uk’ib (drinking cup)

On view

Art of the Ancient Americas

Uk’ib (drinking cup),

620–81

Patron: Sihyaj Chan K’awiil
Maya
Late Classic Period
2002-9
The shape, palette, and glossiness of this vessel are typical of those produced in the small kingdom of Namaan, in northwestern Guatemala. The fluid, loose calligraphy around the rim provides a typical dedicatory statement for a Maya vessel, referring to its production and its intended function as a chocolate-drinking cup. The text also states that it was owned by a Namaan king named Sihyaj Chan K’awiil (Sky-Born Lightning). On each side of the vessel’s body, the king sits calmly on a plush jaguar-pelt throne. On one side a fantastic fire-breathing serpent writhes before the king, while on the other the serpent fully surrounds the king. Presumably the serpent is a supernatural being that provides the king access to potent forces. Columns of hieroglyphic forms divide the scenes but do not appear to convey linguistic meaning.

Information

Title
Uk’ib (drinking cup)
Dates

620–81

Maker
Patron: Sihyaj Chan K’awiil
Medium
Ceramic with polychrome slip-paint
Dimensions
h. 17.6 cm., diam. 17.9 cm. (6 15/16 x 7 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund
Object Number
2002-9
Place Made

North America, Guatemala, Petén, Maya area, Namaan (La Florida)

Inscription
Painted on cup: (A1) yu-k’i-b’i (A2) u-MAM? (A3) SAAK-CHA’? (A4) ? (A5) ha (A6) ja (A7) NAL (A8) K’AHK’-na-MAAN? (A9) tsu-ni (A10) K’AWIIL (A11) CHAN-na (A12) NAL (A13) u (A14) [CH’AB’]b’a (A15) CHAN-na (A16) SIJ-ya-ja (A17) CHAN-na (A18) K’AWIIL (A19) na-MAAN-ni?-AJAW (A20) K’UH (A21) cha (A22) TAHN y uk’ib’ u mam saak ? nal k’ahk’ na maan tsuun k’awiil chan nal u ch’ab’ chan sijyaj chan k’awiil na maan ajaw k’uhul chatahn [“the vessel of the Ancestor [?] Maize, Fire Vision ? K’awiil Snake Maize the penance snake of, K’awiil Was Born (in) The Sky, ? Maan Lord, Holy Chatahn (person)”] (from Lopes n.d.[2003:13])
Reference Numbers
K1670
MS2103
Culture
Maya
Period
Late Classic
Type
drinking vessels, ceramics, polychrome
Materials
polychrome, slip, ceramic
Subject
kings (people), figures (representations), hieroglyphics

King Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil, Namaan (La Florida), Petén, Guatemala. Sold by unknown dealer to David Bernstein, New York; by 1982, David Bernstein sold to Herbert L. Lucas, Los Angeles, CA [1]; 2022, sold to the Princeton University Art Museum.

Notes:
[1] According to correspondence with Bernstein in the curatorial file, he sold this object to Herbert Lucas in the “early 80s”. Lucas loaned this object to the Princeton University Art Museum in 1982 (L.1982.29c).

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