What an artist has in mind when creating a work of art is often a matter of speculation. Even when there is an obvious utilitarian function, such as a vessel or bowl, the artist's deeper purpose may pose an enigma. A perfect example of this can be seen in this intriguing jar. It was obviously designed as a container, perhaps to hold chicha, a thick, fermented brew made from maize or palm-fruit used in funeral ceremonies. The bulbous middle section is very comfortable to hold; the lip opening convenient for drinking. Though at first glance it may seem a curious shape, it is in fact beautifully balanced, with very skilled proportions giving an overall stability. The zoomorphic character is seen in the alligator-related motifs, perhaps depicting a shaman with ritual decoration. The marvelous head seems to combine reptilian and mammalian features. What this particular artist was actually imagining is anyone's guess- yet; it is the wonder of art that allows us to speculate on the enchantment of a vanished culture.