Petite Maya Spiked Censer

Once cloaked in a vibrant red clay slip, this beautifully worn petite vessel is actually a Maya censer. Molded spikes affixed to the exterior resemble those found on the Ceiba tree, the world tree of the Maya representing the universe and serving as a passage between realms. It was believed that spirits were nourished by pleasant aromas, and consequently censers such as this were used ritually as means of communicating with deities and the deceased. Although the precise date of the piece is unknown, this petite asymmetrical censer was likely sculpted in the Late Classic period (AD 600-900) and remains an exquisite example of Pre-Columbian artistry.