Mayas made pottery for both domestic and
ceremonial and ritual use. They used molds, worked
directory with lumps of clay or built vessels with
rolled strips or balls, drying finished pieces in
open air.
Shapes varied widely: Figurines, urns, incense
burners, drinking vessels, cooking pots, etc., and
different styles, which experts have grouped in
several phases.
They are Formative or Pre-Classic,
characterized by rudimentary objects of red or
gray clay with monochrome designs; Early
Classic, when techniques developed
considerably, shapes diversified and colors were
used to decorate figures. In Middle Classic
pieces were painted or incised with multicolored
geometric designs on yellow or orange background. Late
Classic marks the high point of pottery, with
figures realistically painted on surfaces in
white, red and yellow, often in combination with
calendar glyphs.
Finally, Yucatan arose as pottery center in Post
Classic and new techniques were created, but this
did not rival the splendor on the previous period.
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