Costa Rican artists delighted in depicting animals in their ceramics. An entire menagerie of birds, armadillos, turtles, and jaguars are found as subject matter. The realism of this duck effigy is achieved with the simplest detail, combining wonderful abstraction and expressiveness. The beak is wide open and done in such a manner one can almost hear its distinctive quack. An impression of wings is very cleverly accomplished with just the simplest twirl of a band of clay forming an E-shape. Balance is achieved with the arching head and the sweet stub of a tail curling up at the rear. The most enchanting feature is the use of painted lines in cream giving the dual effect of feathers and reflection of water, as the bird gently glides on the surface. Wherever he next lands, this handsome bird will make a perfect adornment.