Pre-Columbian Plate?

I was looking at this for about a month before I bought it. I thought why not take a chance. I searched on "Pre-Columbian Plate" on eBay and there are such things being sold. Any thoughts on if this is one?

It's 11 inches wide. I did wipe it with a damp towel but it doesn't clean up better as far as I want to go. Whatever glazes used are dulled.

 

It was made fairly recently, but you're right, the design looks pre-Columbian. It is Maya or Maya-inspired.

 

I believe these are unglazed traditionally, simply burnished - so you may have affected the sheen slightly by using a wet cloth.

 

It doesn't look any different now then when I got it.

 

It's nice to know how you came to your conclusion, otherwise, it sounds like just anyone's opinions.

 

Why do you think it might be pre columbian other than similar plates showing up on Ebay as such?

 

I'm asking the questions around here, lol.

 

You said....."Any thoughts on if this is one?"

And that's what you're getting !

If you're asking the questions.....then perhaps you should ask in a more specific way........

" I'm looking for a Pre-Co expert to validate that this thing I have is old and extremely valuable "......and then troddle off to a Museum , and ask them.

 

Maya plates never have foot rims. They usually have three feet.

 

There are also Panama Pedestal Plates.

 

From the photograph of the base, specifically the circular patterns in the surface and the precise circular foot, it looks like it was thrown on a wheel. Pre-columbian potters did not use a wheel.

 

@blooey, would it hurt to "lightly burnish" it with a paste wax to bring back the sheen??????

 

I don't know if it ever had a sheen. I think blooey meant the real Maya plates, not necessarily the replicas or Maya-inspired plates.
If it had been genuine Maya, a wipe with a damp cloth wouldn't have taken away any sheen. Not that I would advise it.
Since it isn't pre-Columbian, AntiqueBytes can do what he likes with it.

It is a nice souvenir plate, and it probably has some age, maybe 1960s. Vintage pre-Columbian style items have value, but not nearly as much as real pre-Columbian of course. I have seen the prices of these go up over the years.

 

Low-fired clay like this would absorb water rapidly and IMO would diminish the burnished decorated areas, albeit slightly.

@Aquitaine - If the sheen on an object like this were lessened, I wouldn't suggest using any wax, a good hard rub with a dry cloth would be enough to bring it back.

 

It's obviously made on a wheel. Nice decorative plate

 

Modern piece my friend.

Cheers.
Octaviano

 

Definitely modern, I'm afraid.

tks.

mm