The Costa Rica artists loved to incorporate
different animals in their ceramic works. In some
cases a vessel may be a realistic representation
of a bird or alligator. Or it may be highly
zoomorphic with ritualistic connotations. This
very appealing vessel is truly a sculpture. The
jaguar is beautifully made, perfectly balanced
and finely painted. Though the artist has added
details such as semi- realistic markings, he has
also given the overall object a profound sense of
individuality. This gorgeous animal is seen in its
full magnificence, striding forward with pride
and fearless courage. The Costa Ricans greatly
admired the jaguar as lord of the rain forest and
as an important deity in the other world. Artists
often depicted them in their work, partly due to
the fact they were in demand by wealthy
customers. These elite and noble individuals who
formed exclusive groups in various regions of
Costa Rica enjoyed beautiful works of art, which
graced their homes and were also used as
funerary objects. Whether this lovely jaguar
carried fruits and vegetables in this world, or
held them in store for the next, it must always
have done so with dignity, style and gracious
elegance.
- (PF.4630b)
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