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Clay vessel

Bellied, anthropomorphic jug with convex neck and overhanging rim. The object depicts a female, anthropomorphic figure. There are painted and incised decorations on the neck and body. The vessel has a flattened base. Both sides have been smoothed and slurried. Its exterior is primed and painted. The primer and paint are partially eroded. The pottery has a white-brownish base colour, which is painted red and black on the outside of the vessel. The rim was decorated in red on both sides. An anthropomorphic face with ear jewellery is attached to the neck. The body has attached arms, hands, breasts and feet. The face and body of the depicted creature were painted with a right-angled meander. It consists of a broad, red band bordered by a thin, black outer line. The female figure rests her bent arms on a strongly curved belly. The mouth, breasts and navel have been decorated with stitch marks. Incised decorations appear on the hands. The inside of the object remains unpainted except for the rim. Symbolic significance: according to Lothrop (1926), the painting depicts a highly stylised lizard creature, which he classifies as an 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.). (Künne 2004)

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Data Provider
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Cataloguing data

Object type
crock
Dimensions
Height: 18,1 cm
Depth: 16,3 cm
Width: 17,6 cm
Diameter: 8,2 cm
Weight: 1.200 g
Wandstärke: 0,7 cm
Diameter: 5,3 cm
Material/Technique
Sound
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
IV Ca 41639

Provenance and sources

  • Production
    when
    Policromo Antiguo (500 - 800)
    where
    Costa Rica
    Río Tempisque
    La Comunidad
  • Change of legal title:
    Acquisition
    Description
    Purchase from Dr Walter Lehmann 1909
  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    American Archaeology

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
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