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Portfolios%20%3D%20%22621%22%20and%20Disp_Obj_Type%20%3D%20%22Ceramics%22%20and%20Century%20%3D%20%2210th-14th%20centuries%22
Ceramics
Jaguar Vessel
Greater Nicoya artist, (active )
Greater Nicoya artist
Costa Rica
Primary
14 x 9 3/4 x 11 1/2 in. (35.6 x 24.8 x 29.2 cm)
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Clay
Clay
Pataky
Greater Nicoya Culture Zone; made in Costa Rica
1000-1350
1000
1350
cats, Pre-Columbian art of Central & South America, vessels
Ceramics
This vessel has all the features of a jaguar: ferocious snarling face, sharp teeth, long tail and golden black-spotted coat. The hollow legs and the mouth contain small clay balls that rattle when the jar is shaken, in imitation of the jaguar’s growl. Admired for their strength and agility, jaguars were a powerful and ubiquitous symbol frequently adopted by shamans as an alter-ego. Here the jaguar is depicted in a human-like crouch with the “hands” placed on the knees – a position not possible for this animal. In fact, what we’re witnessing is a typical meditation pose of a shaman and the transformation into his/her animal form.
[Gallery label text, 2009]
1969.90
item
Memorial Art Gallery
2/3/2001
69.90SL1
slide
full
2 x 2
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69.90SL2
slide
detail
2 x 2
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69.90DI1
digital image
full
2 x 2
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69.90DI2
digital image
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69.90DI3
digital image
front
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69.90DI4
digital image
side
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69.90DI5
digital image
detail
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69.90DI6
digital image
back
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