This beautifully carved ceramic vessel depicts an exquisite royal portrait, surrounded by glyphs that read: “This is the drinking cup of K´ahk´ Uht K´nich [fire-countenanced sun god], King of Akankeh [modern Acanceh, Yucatán] and ball player.” Not only does the inscription tell us that Mayan ball players were elites, but it identifies a Maya lord—and where he is from—otherwise unknown to Mayan scholars.

Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of the American Indian
Ongoing

The National Museum of the American Indian  |  George Gustav Heye Center  |  New York, NY

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