Incised bowl
Unknown Artist
6th–4th century BCE
Medium
Ceramic, pigment
Dimensions
H. 2 1/8 × Diam. 5 1/2 in. (5.4 × 14 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Containers
Culture
Paracas
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Nathan Cummings, 1962
Accession Number
62.266.31
Art Historical Context
This delicate incised bowl hails from the Paracas culture of ancient Peru's south coast, crafted between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE Measuring just 2⅛ inches high and 5½ inches in diameter, this small ceramic vessel with pigment accents was likely used for everyday or ritual purposes, reflecting the Paracas people's mastery of pottery during Peru's Early Horizon period. The bowl's standout feature is its incising technique: artisans carved intricate designs into the leather-hard clay surface before firing, creating textured motifs that were then highlighted with pigments, often in red and b...