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Source Description
Geometric imagery often reference patterns seen in the natural world. The bowl’s design suggests the distinctive patterning of the boa constrictor, a powerful predator in the ancient Americas. The colors also have symbolic value: for many Panamanian cultures, red represents the earth and vitality, and black the forces of chaos. Here, the application of the two colors is well balanced, creating a harmonious visual effect that may refer to cosmic notions of equilibrium.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
80359
label
Pedestal Bowl with Snakeskin Pattern
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
2
Source metadata
id
80359
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Pedestal Bowl with Snakeskin Pattern
description
Geometric imagery often reference patterns seen in the natural world. The bowl’s design suggests the distinctive patterning of the boa constrictor, a powerful predator in the ancient Americas. The colors also have symbolic value: for many Panamanian cultures, red represents the earth and vitality, and black the forces of chaos. Here, the application of the two colors is well balanced, creating a harmonious visual effect that may refer to cosmic notions of equilibrium.
provenance
Acquired by Ron Messick, Santa Fe; given to John G. Bourne, Sante Fe, 2000; given to John G. Bourne Foundation, 2004 [1]; given to Walters Art Museum, 2013.[1] according to Bourne Foundation accounts
date
AD 800-1000
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Ceramics
vessels
bowls
imageCount
2
pageCount
2
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
26.7
height
19.3
dimensionsRaw
H: 10 1/2 x Diam: 7 5/8 in. (26.67 x 19.3 cm)
Source extras
cul
Cocle culture; Macaracas style
style
Macaracas
med
earthenware, slip paint
creator_ids
31457
collection_ids
AME
exhibition_ids
none
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
8df84773cdb3f381
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
66303ca11ab9ea13
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no