Description
This stand, made of a large tube with side panels, originally held a bowl used to ritually burn incense. Modeled on the front is a group that includes the Maya sun deity and two flanking, profile figures in lower relief. All are supported by a turtle, a symbol of the earth and the underworld. Thus, the ensemble may be a model of the cosmos.
Provenance
Wolfgang Paalen, sold? to Black Tulip Galleries, Inc., Dallas, TX (?-before 1959); (Black Tulip Galleries, Inc., Dallas, TX, 1959, sold to James C. and Florence C. Gruener) (?-1959); James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1959-1990); The Cleveland Museum of Art (1990)
Accession Number
1990.174
Medium
pottery with polychrome
Dimensions
Overall: 54.7 x 31.3 x 28.8 cm (21 9/16 x 12 5/16 x 11 5/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener
