Fenton Vase

Fenton Vase

Image of the Fenton Vase from the British Museum
Material	Polychromed ceramic
Size	17.2 cm in diameter
Writing	Mayan Script
Created	600-800 AD
Discovered	Nebaj, Guatemala
Present location	British Museum, London
Registration	AOA 1930-1

The Fenton Vase is the name of a famous ancient Maya vase or cup that was found at Nebaj in Guatemala. Known for its intricate painting and historical record of the Maya elite, it was acquired by the British Museum in 1930. Other examples of Maya ceramics include the Princeton Vase.

The elaborately decorated pottery beaker records a tribute scene to a lord who sits on a palace throne. The seated lord points to the tribute in front of a kneeling prince. Behind the lord is another seated individual who appears to hold a codex. Two standing figures frame the scene with hieroglyphic text displayed throughout. All the figures wear expensive clothing and jewellery although the seated Lord receiving the tribute is adorned with the most refined regalia and headdress.

The ceramic pot was discovered in Nebaj in the highlands of Guatemala in 1904. It later came into the possession of the English collector CL Fenton, from whom it was purchased by the British Museum in 1930 with the support of the National Art Collections Fund. Four other similar vessels have recently been unearthed in the area, suggesting there was a workshop or artist based in the vicinity of Nebaj during the late Classical Period. These prestigious items may have been commissioned by a single Maya lord to represent important events from his life.