painted with supernatural deity God L seated on a high stone dais and holding forth a bunch of tobacco leaves, his hunched body covered in a patterned fringed cape, long bead necklace and massive headdress of the moan bird with gaping beak, a jaguar-skin covering the tripod vessel behind, the tondo encircled by a skyband indicating the supernatural location, and rim with a glyphic band with jaguar spots along one side.

Emile Deletaille, Brussels

Baltimore, The Walters Art Museum, 2005-2010

Nicholas M. Hellmuth, Monsters and Men in Maya Art, Graz, 1987, pg. 298, Fig. 661, drawing

Overall good condition, excellent color and form, particularly the size and stepped band on the underside. Has clean breaks and repairs visible from underside showing approx. 3 main lines of breaks, including a horizontal break slightly angled from 11 oclock to 5 oclock, another line shows horizontally roughly 7-4 oclock, another line from 2 towards center. Has been filled on front over cracks.
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.

God L and God N are two of the principal Underworld deities, also known as the Smoking Gods. Native tobacco (nicotiana rustica) was widely used for medicinal and ritual purposes utilizing its hallucinogenic properties. For a similar depiction of God L, see mayavase.com, K702, and K8469 for a palace scene of smoking figures.