The artist who created this fascinating skull
terra-cotta vessel was not only a fine sculptor;
he was also very perceptive in the type of glaze
he chose for the vessel. It is a white glaze that is
similar to human skulls. It has a remarkable
realistic human resemblance. This person most
probably desired this vessel to represent the
death deity for rituals. In general, the
Mesoamericans believed the universe embraced
the heavens and underworld as one. There was
no separation between the terrestrial world and
the supernatural world. Everyday experience
incorporated these two worlds together; it was
an ordinary aspect of their reality. Thus, the
world of the dead was closely integrated into the
world of the living. Deceased ancestors were
believed to have powerful influences upon the
living. Major festivals honored the dead. The
person who used this vessel during rituals most
probably acted as the death deity. By appeasing
the death deity through ritual, the ancient Costa
Ricans may have felt that their ancestors would
be safe in the Underworld and have favorable
influences upon the living. Or perhaps the death
deity acted as an intermediary for the humans to
communicate with the deceased. Due to their
perception of the unity of the terrestrial,
supernatural worlds and the Underworld as one,
we can only imagine that this vessel played an
important part in rituals in honor of the death
deity who had good intentions for all: the gods,
humans and the dead.
- (PF.3956)
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