Maya Two-Part Effigy Vessel of an Armadillo Early Classic, ca. A.D. 250-450

the lidded container formed as an armadillo in a defensive posture, with forelegs holding his snout and rear legs grasping the upcurled tail against the smooth and vunerable belly, the scaly carapace indicated with bands of cross-hatched alternating triangles, the head with incised eyes and tapering ears.  

New England private collector, acquired by 1972
Sotheby's, New York, November 23, 1992, lot 165, consigned by the above

Overall good condition; various repairs clearly visible on interior on both lid and vessel, details include: lid broken and repaired as shown on interior in eight plus places, proper left ear broken and repaired at the join to the head, some repaint on both paws, tip of the tail broken and repaired, appears to have some fill at the tip of the tail, the vessel body broken and repaired as visible on the interior in at least four to five places.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Early Classic Maya effigy vases are distinctive for their sculptural form. This lidded vessel was a ceremonial container made in a realistic form of an armadillo. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), had many associations in the Maya world, the ibach, or wech, was a popular food, and the dried carapace was used as a gourd-like container. Kerr (2005:78-79) discusses how the armadillo is the way, or animal spirit of God L, one of the important Underworld deity figures. The armadillo's distinctive triangular pattern of the scaly hide or scutes, was used as a design element for God L's cloak. The stylized carapace pattern painted on cylinder vessels imbued them with the protective skin. Steve Houston (2014) explores the concept and inventiveness of how the Maya 'quoted' different materials for one another; the idea of 'cross-media' is particularly well illustrated here, see Houston (op. cit.: 41-43, 142-143).