Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

Art of Costa Rica

  • All
  • Masterpieces of Pre-Columbian Art
  • Aztec Art
  • Art of Costa Rica
  • Art of Ecuador
  • Mayan Art
  • Mayan Ceramics
  • Mezcala Art
  • Olmec Art
  • Olmec Masks
  • Art of Panama
  • Taino Art
  • Teotihuacan Art
  • Toltec Art
  • Veracruz Art
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Terracotta Seated Female Vessel, 300 BCE - 300 CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Terracotta Seated Female Vessel, 300 BCE - 300 CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Terracotta Seated Female Vessel, 300 BCE - 300 CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Terracotta Seated Female Vessel, 300 BCE - 300 CE

Terracotta Seated Female Vessel, 300 BCE - 300 CE

Terracotta
height 41.9 cm
height 16 1/2 in
PF.4628
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ETerracotta%20Seated%20Female%20Vessel%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E300%20BCE%20%20-%20%20300%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3ETerracotta%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3Eheight%2041.9%20cm%3Cbr/%3E%0Aheight%2016%201/2%20in%3C/div%3E

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) Thumbnail of additional image
This extraordinary vessel is representative of a special group of terracottas, which constitute some of the most fascinating works of art from the ancient world. The artistic style of this...
Read more
This extraordinary vessel is representative of a special group of terracottas, which constitute some of the most fascinating works of art from the ancient world. The artistic style of this group is directly related to the vessels' imagery, and this in turn to their function. What we are seeing here is a seated female figure with very specific features common to those of her style: Swelling of the abdomen, the pigeon breast, left hand over area of the liver, hunchback, raised shoulders, and large white protuberance emerging from the mouth. The physical malformations such as the pigeon breast and hunchback are characteristic of shamans, and were not considered deformities but signs of supernatural power. There is probably a correlation between the hand over the liver and the white mouth. This vessel was possibly used by a female shaman to cure liver disease, and intended to hold therapeutic herbs or potions. The mouth swelling may indicate the disease being ejected from the body. The intriguing and beautiful body paint is similar to other such vessels, particularly the pattern on the chest that may have been a shamanic emblem. The power of this vessel is enormous, its mystery tantalizing, its unique beauty undeniable; holding within itself secrets that someday may be revealed.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
62 
of  117

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields