The large pear-shaped jar stands on hollow rattle tripod legs, two of which are modeled to represent a jaguar's hind legs. A third leg in the form of a tail...
The large pear-shaped jar stands on hollow rattle tripod legs, two of which are modeled to represent a jaguar's hind legs. A third leg in the form of a tail is at the rear. Two short hollow forelegs loop out from the sides of the body with paws resting on the hind legs. An expressive hollow rattle jaguar's head is attached on the upper portion of the vessel spaced between the two hind legs. A serrated collar with a bib surrounds the open mouth exposing white fangs. The bib, the legs and tail are painted with lacy representations of stylized jaguar heads silhouetted in black on a white ground. The wide panel around the neck of the jar is composed of various stylized and repetitive elements of the man/jaguar theme including feathered darts, spear elements, ears and claws of the jaguar and long bones. This jaguar effigy jar with its standardized motifs is a classic example of Late Nicoya Polychromes.