This striking portrait vessel, found along the
coast of Mexico in Veracruz, makes a powerful
impression. The highly expressive facial features
are just slightly exaggerated and stylized. The
ears, flared and pointed, are decorated with large
ear plugs. His elegant arched eyebrows, half-
massed eyes, and archaic smile draw us into his
meditative spell. Was the artist depicting man or
deity? Or perhaps even a ceremonial ballplayer?
We can tell that he was once adorned with nose
and ear jewelry, which indicates that he w as
undoubtedly a figure of great importance. This
portrait, whether a God, man, or a shaman, was
important enough to be portrayed on a vessel
that at one time was probably used as a
ceremonial drinking cup. Our minds must travel
back in time to imagine not only who drank from
this, but what the consequences might have
been.
- (PF.2798)
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