Artwork Page for Feline Vessel

Details / Information for Feline Vessel

Feline Vessel

1–700 CE

Central Andes, North Highlands, Recuay people

Medium
ceramic, red and white slips, black pigment
Measurements
Overall: 20.3 x 10.1 x 15.2 cm (8 x 4 x 6 in.)
Credit Line
The Charlotte Ekker and Charlotte Van der Veer Memorial Fund 2009.9
Public Domain
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Location
232 Andean
Print

Description

Recuay art is under-studied and it is difficult to know the meaning of the wonderfully stylized feline on whose head perches a small passenger that may be a coatimundi, a nosy, busy, racoon-like animal. Elsewhere in Recuay art, felines are shown as virile predators, making it likely that in general they were symbols of leadership. The feline is painted with white and red slips; after firing, a resist application of black pigment was used to create the dotted pattern.
A beige ceramic vessel depicts a stylized feline with a massive head. A smaller animal sits atop its crown; both feature patterns of black dots. The feline has a wide, toothy grin and bulging red eyes. Red bands encircle its neck and border the mouth. Its thick, trunk-like legs support a round body featuring a circular opening on the back. Rounded ears cup the sides of its head.

Feline Vessel

1–700 CE

Central Andes, North Highlands, Recuay people

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