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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Jaguar Effigy Vessels : Guanacaste-Nicoya Jaguar Effigy Vessel
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Guanacaste-Nicoya Jaguar Effigy Vessel - PF.3792
Origin: Guanacaste, Nicoya, Costa Rica
Circa: 1000
AD
to 1550
AD
Dimensions:
13" (33.0cm) high
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Terracotta
$8,400.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
From the depths of the great Guanacaste-Nicoya
Zone of the culturally rich country of Costa Rica,
history and art combine to tell us a story. This
artistic vessel may express one or many of the
ancient stories or mythologies relating to the
jaguar. Perhaps the jaguar refers to the power
and ferociousness of warriors or shamans. The
jaguar is painted with its mouth wide-open and
snarling. A rather sensitive rendering of a
creature that often does just that. The head is
molded on the front of the vessel displaying all
the jaguar characteristics. A peculiar round
object, painted orange lies inside the snarling
wide-open mouth. The artist in following the
swelling contours of this globular vessel has paid
careful attention. The border on the top and
bottom are filled with intricately painted
elements of various motifs. Below the mouth
rim, there is a row of hook designs. Just below
the hook designs, the diagnostic jaguar frieze is
silhouetted in black against a white slip, giving
the impression of negative painting. The lower
body is encircled with a band of jaguars. Heavy
black stripes tie together the top and bottom of
the vessel. This vessel may have served an
important function during shaman rituals
relating to power and dominance. The artistic
ingenuity and beautiful shape of this vessel
makes it a masterpiece of well-developed skill
and remarkable creativity.
- (PF.3792)
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