Human Effigy Bowl, 300 CE - 800 CE
Terracotta
9.5
PF.4218
A special crown and smile adorn this youthful female. Her long hair flows down the back of her neck and the bowl. Her elbows and arms are arched backward to...
A special crown and smile adorn this youthful female. Her long hair flows down the back of her neck and the bowl. Her elbows and arms are arched backward to hold the bowl and one elbow serves as a tripod. She wears a necklace and a skirt. Her breasts, upper arms and upper legs reveal body tattooing. Her legs bend backward along the sides of the bowl. The two other tripod legs appear to be the heads of a particular bird that has an enormous beak, perhaps the harpy eagle. The harpy eagle represented great qualities of supernatural power and insight to the ancient inhabitants of Costa Rica. Large eyes with thick over lids peer outward at us. The upper rim of the bowl depicts geometric designs painted in white. As we study this composition further, we begin to realize how truly artistic and innovative it is.