Figure Vessel
Unknown Artist
9th–14th century
Medium
Ceramic Contains ancient peanuts (no shell)
Dimensions
H. 9 5/16 in. (23.7 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Containers
Culture
Quimbaya
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Museum Accession
Accession Number
X.2.417
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming *Figure Vessel* hails from the Quimbaya culture of ancient Colombia, crafted between the 9th 14th centuries. just 9 5/16 inches tall, this ceramic container exemplifies the Pre-Columbian artistry of the region, where potters skillfully modeled vessels in human or animal forms. The Quimbaya, known for their goldwork and ceramics, used such pieces in daily life and rituals, blending functionality with symbolic expression. The tag "Animals" hints at a zoomorphic design, possibly evoking spirits or totems central to their worldview. What makes this vessel particularly intriguing is ...