Yoke-Form Vessel mid-4th-mid-5th century Maya This unique tripod drinking vessel, made by Maya artists in a style associated with the great Central Mexican city of Teotihuacan, features a multi-layered visual narrative of the Mesoamerican ballgame. The three bulbous feet are incised with spiral motifs, which may refer to Teotihuacan depictions of extracted human hearts. Resting on the feet is a large u-shaped element, that represents an effigy ballgame belt or waist-guard (often referred to as a yoke”). At each end of the u-shape, a head emerges from squared depressions; their closed eyes and vacant expressions suggest that they represent disembodied heads of vanquished enemies. On the main arc of the u-shape is a modeled element of a raised fist, which could refer to the removal of hands of captives as shown in other contexts. Though the versions of the ballgame varied throughout time and from place to place, sacrifice seems to have been a widespread feature.Contiguous with the inner