Tuesday, January 6, 2004

Astronomical Surface Decorations on Ceramics, Mesoamerica part IX Meta-Information Some Mayan ceramic pieces exhibit traits similar to Mayan codices.  Mayan codices, such as the Dresden Codex, are Mayan texts or books.  The so called "codex-style" vases are characterized by a very distinctive painting style: fine black line drawing against a white or light yellow background, framed by a bright red rim. The name was given to this sub-group of mayan ceramics for its similarity with the pictorial and presentation style of the known mayan books - the codexes. Titoomaj K'awiil: a mayan patron of arts by Luis Lopes It is interesting to see ceramic decoration referring to design used in the codex.  It is more than simply putting information on the ceramic piece.  It shows the designer of the vase graphically pointing out that the ceramic object is an information carrier.  ..and as Stevan Davies rightly points out, some were created by truly great artists. 9:56:01 PM