MAYAN CARVED CONTAINER - ex. CHRISTIE'S Late Classic, Ca. AD 550 - 950. A rectangular container carved in relief on each side with the depiction of a ballplayer in full ceremonial garb, including a peccary headdress, leaning forward towards a humpbacked, glyph-covered animal, possibly a rabbit, symbolising the ball. The imagery alludes to the cosmic ballgame of the Hero Twins, whose ball transforms into a rabbit. The ball itself bears an inscription reading bolon nahb, interpreted as ‘hand span’, referencing the ball’s circumference. Glyphs directed at the player suggest speech, while the side panels display a register of repeating glyphs interpreted as poetic couplets, including phrases such as 'green, young and fresh', potentially referencing green tobacco. Traces of cream and red pigment remain across the surface. For similar see: The Library of Congress, Accession No. 1999.087.00.0001. Size: 130mm x 70mm; Weight: 265g Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014; Ex. Christie's, 21 November 2006, Lot 28. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.