In a regal and powerful way, the figure of a man
stands, giving this vessel a strong and dominant
appearance. The vessel would have contained
either liquid or food, and as the vessel was being
presented to the guests, it would have been
shaken. The two holes and two incisions on
either side allowed the sound of the pebbles or
seeds, which it contained to resound more
clearly; some of these are still inside. The vessel
itself is made of terracotta, which has been
finished to make the piece very smooth. For its
size, its weight is relatively light. Its polychrome
designs emphasize the shape. The geometric
and floral patterns decorating the vessel
emphasize the craftsmanship of this piece. On
the arms and legs a floral pattern has been
painted, divided in some places by geometric
band work. At the front of this piece, we have a
face, both painted and sculpted. From beneath
the eyes and eyebrows, come trickles of red,
painted for tears. However, these could also
symbolize rain, which was so essential to the
livelihood of the people. The mouth with the
protruding tongue is surrounded by geometric
forms on either side. Emphasizing the nose, it
has been painted brown, so as not to be hidden
by the prominence of the red lips, tongue and
teeth. On the front of the vessel, a pink residue
around the earlobes and around the joints of the
legs and arms seems to have been added at a
later time. This may have been added during a
ritualistic ceremony. Around the top of the
vessel, the rim of the vessel has been painted
with red paint, which has remnants of a high
burnish causing it to shine. Along the neck is a
series of banding. Within these bands are both
painted geometric designs and a varying line
pattern, which may be a form of hieroglyph. The
remaining three quarters of the vessel at the
back contains the picture of a frog, outlined in
brown and painted in red with a simple line
pattern on its back. The frog was the important
symbol of fertility both in nature and for the
people. The frog would come out of hibernation
during the humid period, thus symbolizing a
good harvest.
- (PF.3597)
|
