The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 17, 2025
Vessel with Deity Mask
1200–900 BCE
(Las Bocas, Puebla?)
Overall: 18 x 17.1 x 15.9 cm (7 1/16 x 6 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.)
Location: 233 Mesoamerican and Intermediate Region
Description
This unusual vessel is made of a U-shaped container and a sheet of clay modeled as a deity mask that is startling in its power: pierced eyes glare from the shadow of a muscular brow; the chin juts aggressively; and the part-bird, part-jaguar mouth opens in a shriek. This may be the face of the Olmec rain deity, the inspiration for much Olmec ritual and many accomplished works of art. The vessel may come from a grave or a buried offering.- Bergh, Susan E., "Vessel of the Bird Jaguar", Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine. Vol. 43 no. 04, April 2003 Mentioned & reproduced: p. 4-5 archive.org"Major Acquisitions 2000-2005." Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 45, no. 6 (July/August 2005): 6-19. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 10 archive.org
- {{cite web|title=Vessel with Deity Mask|url=false|author=|year=1200–900 BCE|access-date=17 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2002.67