Small, round-bottomed bowl with a straight rim. The object has been smoothed, sanded and primed on both sides. Its exterior is polychrome painted and highly polished. The primer and paint are partially eroded. The restored vessel has several breaks and flaws. The ceramic has a salmon-coloured undercoat, which is painted red and black on the outside of the object. The wall is decorated with two upright, circumferential red bands. Below this is a central, all-round frieze. It consists of a wide, black band with large oval cut-outs. In them appears a stepped, geometric motif which, according to Lothrop (1926), represents a highly stylised lizard. The red depiction is bordered by a thin black outer line and has an isosceles cross in its centre. The deep wall sections are decorated with two surrounding red bands. The inside of the object is primed in salmon colour. According to Lothrop 1926: Nicoya polychrome ware, alligator motif, type A. Cultural significance: the Galo and Carrillo Policromo groups (800-500d.C.) represent the first truly polychrome ceramics produced in the Gran Nicoya region. Their design (shape, colouring, individual motifs) is strongly reminiscent of the Ulua Policromo group (950-550d.C.). Similar lizard-shaped decorations are known from the Costa Rican highlands (protomes) and from the Gran Chiriquí region (painting). (Künne 2004)