Ulúa-Style Marble Vase Project: Dissemination of Results

The Ulúa Marble Style

Ulúa-style marble vases are carved from a single block of white marble. Artisans divided the pictorial surface into two halves: an obverse and a reverse. Although the two sides may appear symmetrical, each is unique. On the majority of vases, dual lug anthropomorphic handles vertically separate the obverse and reverse sides. I have classified vases based primarily on handle type: bird, bat, monkey, feline or a composite of a feline and serpent, following conventions of classifying Ulúa polychromes (see Joyce 1993a; Viel 1978). An upper and/or a lower border frame the wrap-around iconographic program of volutes, the hallmark characteristic of Ulúa-style marble vases. Most frequently volutes form profile and frontal heads. A number of motifs, including the mat, scales, volutes, winged-volutes, triangles, bow ties and circles with central dots are used as fillers in the main program around these heads.

There are a number of border types: scales, voussures (repeating half-moon shape), interlocking keys, circles with a central dot, single and parallel circumferential lines, mat motifs, profile serpent heads, repeating Xs, ropes, and chevrons. Certain motifs are often combined in one border, especially voussures and interlocking keys. The mat motif is usually associated with voussures, interlocking keys, or serpents, but not with scales. Scale borders are most frequently found on vases with bird and bat handles; other border types are most commonly associated with feline handles.

There are two common forms of vases: cylinders and drums. In this study, a cylinder is defined as a vessel with a height greater than its diameter. A drum is a vessel with a diameter greater than its height. Ring and tripod supports are found on the majority of vases, while a limited number lack supports. Ring supports are common for cylinders, while tripod supports are more common for drums. Incised patterns, openwork step and triangle motifs alternate around ring supports. Flat bases are the norm for vases lacking handles and on vases with only a single handle.

A number of vases have remains of white, red/pink and/or blue/green stucco on the exterior and interior (see Luke 2003b). Found on the main iconographic program, base, handles, lip, and interior, the entire surface of white marble may once have been covered, similar to carved stone monuments from Mesoamerica.

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