Chocolate Bowl
This clay bowl is about 1,600 years old and was made by the Maya people living in Guatemala in Central America. The bowl is decorated with red, cream, and black colors and the artist used a brush to paint glyphs on it. Each glyph represents an idea, word, or sound. You can see some glyphs in a border at the top on this bowl and along the sides.
The glyphs on this bowl tell us the name of its owner and how it was used. We know it was made for serving a chocolate drink because the artist painted glyphs that represent chocolate. The bowl has thin walls and a round, compact shape. It was made to be held with two hands while sipping a drink directly from it.
Do you like chocolate? Chocolate, or cacao (pronounced ka ka wa), was very valuable to the Maya and they used cacao beans as money. They drank chocolate on special occasions and ceremonies. To make a frothy drink served in a bowl like this, the Maya would mix cacao powder with water, chile, honey, vanilla, and many other flavorings.
Think of the objects that you use for food and drink in your home. Are they decorated? Do you have special bowls and plates for certain foods or occasions? What kinds of glyphs would you create to represent your favorite drink on a cup or glass?
Visit Collections Online to learn more about Art of the Ancient Americas.
Vessel with Glyphic Text
Guatemala Lowlands, Maya, A.D. 400-550
Ceramic with red, cream, and black slip, 7 x 8 ½ in.
Museum Acquisition Fund AC1992.129.1
Photo © 2009 Museum Associates/LACMA
|
Welcome to Artwork of the Month! Visit this page every month to explore a new treasure from LACMA's extensive collections.
Artwork of the Month is intended for children but can also be a fun resource for students, teachers, and families who want to learn more about artworks in LACMA's permanent collection and special exhibitions.
|
