↗Central Andes (Peru), Recuay people · 1–700 CE
Architectural Vessel
Creator not recorded
John L. Severance Fund · The Cleveland Museum of Art
Image: public domain (CC0) · Museum record & image source ↗
Colombia, Tairona · c. 900–1550 (thermoluminescence date, 810–1310)
Double-Bat Bowl
Creator not recorded by the museum
- Date
- c. 900–1550 (thermoluminescence date, 810–1310)
- Medium
- earthenware
- Dimensions
- Overall: 13.1 x 32 x 27.3 cm (5 3/16 x 12 5/8 x 10 3/4 in.)
- Country / context
- Colombia
- Movement / tradition
- Central and South American arts
- Collection
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Pathway
- Central and South American arts ↗
FROM THE MUSEUM
The archaeological Tairona civilization of mountainous northern Colombia is believed to be ancestral to the contemporary Kogi indigenous group. Ancient Tairona sites are terraced, and characterized by circular stone building foundations. The most famous form of Tairona art is gold jewelry, especially lost-wax cast figurines of chiefs, and anthropomorphic bats and birds. Tairona ceramics are less well known. This bowl has two protruding bat heads and four legs. The incurved sides of the bowl to either side of each head represents the bats' wings. The vessel's surface is decorated with raised serpents, as well as incised and impressed patterns.
Collection text · The Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0A MOMENT TO LOOK
Start with what you can see: shapes, surface, colour and scale. How might the listed materials affect the way this object was made and experienced?
Looking prompt · an invitation to observe, not a historical interpretation.
