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Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya

 

Known as The Chama Vase this vessel from the 8th century CE was found in a stone-lined tomb at the ancient Maya site of Chama (in modern day Guatemala) at the end of the 19th century. Height: 23.5 cm diameter: 15 cm. Penn Museum object 38-14-1.The great Maya creation story, the Popol Vuh, sanctified the mountains, caves, and rivers of the Alta Verapaz of today’s Guatemala, where events played out in mythic time. Except for the excavations done by the Penn Museum in the early 20th century, the region is almost unknown archaeologically. 

Penn Museum’s Chamá vessels, the only collection with a secure history, show how objects reflect cultural shifts and how people cope with change. Painted Metaphors portrays a time of political change in a troubled outpost of the Maya world, and a human story of power and intrigue among people who lived more than 1,300 years ago. Nineteen Chamá polychrome ceramics are accompanied by more than 100 objects illustrating Maya daily life, religious ritual, and shifts in rulership. This is a traveling exhibit of unsurpassed beauty and archaeological significance. 

In addition to the objects, the exhibit offers a full-color special book and CDs on the conservation of the vessels as well as museum stewardship. Educational materials, a color catalogue, as well as a substantial book on Ancient May of the Alta Verapaz are available.

The Painted Metaphors website. This website can be customized with your institution's logo and links to your website.

Sept. 16, 2010 - Jan. 3, 2011 Frank H. McClung Museum
Sept. 9, 2011 - Dec. 11, 2011 Middlebury College Museum
March 4, 2012 - June 4, 2012 Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
June 23, 2012 - Sept. 23, 2012 Mayborn Museum Complex
Oct. 19, 2012 - Jan. 11, 2013 trex_available
Feb. 8, 2013 - May 17, 2013 trex_available

 

Shipping To be arranged by Penn Museum. Shipping costs are prorated among venues.

 
Insurance

Covered by the Penn Museum.
Installation/ Deinstallation

Courier required. Qualified staff at borrowing institution will help in installation and deinstallation of the exhibition.
Requirements

Facility report must be submitted for review before approval of loan. Borrowing institutions must complete incoming and outgoing condition reports. The borrower must adhere to temperature and light controls for this exhibit.
Contacts Traveling Exhibits Coordinator
(215) 746-6976
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