This beautifully burnished and red-slipped
vessel emits the radiance of deep reddish-
orange color on its smooth surface. Such
skillfully finished vessel reveals the advanced
burnishing and firing techniques used by the
people of Ancient Colima. The beautiful vessel is
also enhanced with surreal nine avian feline
figures, which surround the vessel. Found from
a shaft-tomb, this charming vessel was not only
gracefully and lovingly decorated but it also had
a ritualistic, spiritual significance as well as
utilitarian function. Vessels such as this one was
not just an item to put in a shaft-tomb but they
held special, spiritual meaning. The nine small
surreal figures that surround the beautiful vessel
reveal such special significance. The figures
seem to have bird-shaped bodies but their facial
features resemble characteristics of a feline. In
Ancient Meso-America both birds and felines,
particularly jaguars, signified magical power--
they often symbolized gods. Like magical
beings, birds roamed swiftly high in sky and
jaguars ruled the ground with their ferocity and
speed. Perhaps the artist who created this vessel
wished to combine the power and religious
significance of two animals. The figures, thus,
are not a random choice but a very conscious
decision to ascribe this vessel a special meaning,
so that it could become a precious offering in a
ritual. Just as the vessel itself reveals the careful
sculpting and firing work, each figure shows how
lovingly they were carved. Across time and
culture, we can still feel the effort of the artist's
to have his creation embody a very special
meaning.
- (PF.2912)
|
