The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 29, 2024

Vessel with Reclining Figure and Birds

Vessel with Reclining Figure and Birds

2200–200 BCE
Location: 232 Andean

Did You Know?

The stirrup-shaped form of the spout is common among Peruvian ceramics and unique to the ancient Americas.

Description

This ceramic vessel features a supine human being pecked by two birds that perch on the vessel’s doughnut-shaped chamber. The identity of the apparently mythical creature modeled in low relief on the sides of the stirrup-shaped spout is unknown. Little can be said about meaning beyond pointing out an obvious reference to death.
  • Before 1960s-2012
    Robert Sonin, New York, NY, gifted to a Private Collector
    2012-2017
    Private Collector, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2017-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Bergh, Susan E. “Acquisition Highlights: Pre-Columbian Art.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine vol. 58, no. 2 (March/April 2018): 8-9. Reproduced and Mentioned: P. 8.
  • {{cite web|title=Vessel with Reclining Figure and Birds|url=false|author=|year=2200–200 BCE|access-date=29 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2017.55