This bowl belongs to a pottery tradition called "Anaranjada Fina" or "Pabellon Moldeada-Grabada", which was produced in the Guatemalan region of Rio de la ion (in places like the Sacrificial Altar or Ceibal) around the year 900 A.D. The iconographic style of these vessels, their rectangular hieroglyphics, their mode of production and lack of degreaser (substance mixed with clay to give consistency) denote a strong influence from the ceramic traditions that were already present in the Papaloapan River and Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz regions.
The arrangement of the hieroglyphs into horizontal bands and the fact that the signs are oriented to the left (indicating that they are read from left to right) are typically Mayan features. It is likely that they can also be read in a Mayan language. The same sequence of signs has been found in other vessels from the era that are held in Guatemala (see figure), which is why it must be a phrase and not just a decorative element, but this style of writing has not been deciphered.
The engravings on this vessel were made before firing. Its scenes show a pair of reclining warriors, armed with bird helmets, plumes and a kind of kerchief tied around their necks; both hold a spear-thrower in their left hand, and one displays a flower next to his mouth, which represents speech. They are flanked by large snake heads similar to Mayan representations of mountains. A pair of vertical bands with three glyphs further divide each scene.
During this period of Mesoamerican history (ninth and tenth centuries A.D.), representing warriors with spear throwers is associated with a new worship of Venus as the morning star, whose rays of light were thought to be ill-omened darts whose anger had to be appeased by sacrificing war captives.
Description of glyphs sequence on this bowl and in other vessels of the same style:
1. Sign giving the vague impression of being an animal head.
2. Concentric circles within a rectangular cartridge.
3. Upper half of a semicircle with inner hatch.
4. Design similar to three feathers, which is enclosed by an element which in turn bends to the right at the top.
5. Concentric circles accompanied by 4 or 5 points on the left.
6. Half hatched circle, embroidered at the top and on the right by a band of undulating lines, similar to crests, rays or small emanations.
7. Design similar to one or two arches covered by a curled element and accompanied by a scroll that is located on the left.
8. Stylized snake head in the form of an "S".
9. Diagonal lines whose ends terminate in scrolls pointing in opposite directions. This hieroglyph has been interpreted as an auxiliary sign, which served to divide the sentence.
