Robert & Marianne Huber, Dixon, Illinois, acquired prior to 1970
Dr Victor Barcilon, Glenview, Illinois, acquired from the above
Sotheby's, New York, November 21, 1988, lot 104, consigned by the above
Merrin Gallery, New York, acquired at the above auction
American Private Collection, acquired from the above in 1988

Galerie Anita Rutz, Düsseldorf, 1976
The Arts Club of Chicago, Chicago, High Culture in the Americas before 1500, November 15 - December 31, 1982

Everett McNear, High Culture in the Americas before 1500, Chicago, 1982, p. 21, fig. 45

Overall excellent condition. Appears nearly entirely intact, except minor break and repair on the tail's lower right side.
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.

The Books of Chilam Balam note that the Yucatan, or ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) was a sign of great abundance and prestige, and the favored offering of tribute from defeated lords to their vanquishers. The high status of the bird as an offering is also attested to in the Dresden Codex, which shows God D, Izamna, presenting a turkey to the Spaniards during Maya New Year ceremonies (Friedel, Schele, & Parker, Maya Cosmos, 1993, p 40), whilst in the Madrid Codex a turkey appears tied to a sacred tree (ibid., p. 91).

Turkey was an elitist food, and effigy vessels depicting turkeys have been found in burial sites alongside depictions of other animals with elite associations, such as jaguars. Depictions of turkeys are fairly rare; for some depicted on codex style vases, see www.mayavase.com, K1001, K2010, & K2011. although the feathers of the turkey are probably among those in ornaments worn by characters depicted in Maya vases, and Ralph Roys noted that turkey feather fans may have been symbols of rulership among the Maya. (Roys, Ritual of the Bacabs, 1965, p. xvii).

The turkey was also believed to have purification powers, and the encrusted deposits on the underbelly of the present vessel m𓂃ay result from its use for the boiling of liquids during ritual and hallucinogenic ceremoဣnies. The rich carved personified serpent-wings imbue this majestic vessel with a special potency through reference to both celestial and earthly manifestations.