Large Jar

Item number 59.197.4 from the Brooklyn Museum.

Public
Hide

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

  • Data
  • Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by Brooklyn Museum. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Large, black globular jar with a rounded base and a body that gradually tapers into a narrower mouth opening. The exterior of the vessel is decorated with incised designs of two supernatural deities, referred to as the Oculate Being, with large eyes and sausage-shaped mouths. Each figure holds a trophy head in one hand. A long tongue-like streamer emanates from each figure's mouth, and streamers emanate from their heads and bodies. Surrounding the figures are geometrical incised designs. Outlined designs are filled with resin paint in green, red, and yellow. The lower quarter of the vessel is undecorated.

Credit Line

Frank L. Babbott Fund

Label

On the South Coast of Peru a mythological figure began appearing on ceramics and textiles about 200 to 100 B.C.E. This mysterious figure, identified by scholars as the Oculate Being, may be an early agricultural fertility-cult deity. It is depicted with large eyes, an oversized head, an elongated nose, a smiling sausage-shaped mouth, and a protruding tongue. Numerous streamers flow from its head and body.

On the jar displayed here, the deity holds a trophy head, ritually taken in battle. The mask, which probably adorned a wrapped corpse, or mummy bundle, depicts the Oculate Being in threedimensional form. Twelve projecting tabs around the face include four double-headed snakes, iconography seen on other Paracas masks.


En la Costa Sur del Perú, una figura mitológica comenzó a aparecer en cerámicas y textiles alrededor del 200 al 100 A.E.C. Esta figura misteriosa, identificada por algunos académicos como el Ser Oculado, puede tratarse de una deidad temprana de culto a la fertilidad y agricultura. Se representa con enormes ojos, nariz larga, una boca sonriente con labios en forma de salchicha, y una lengua sobresaliente. Numerosas serpentinas flotan desde su cabeza y cuerpo.

En esta vasija en exhibición, la deidad sostiene una cabeza-trofeo, obtenida ritualmente en combate. La máscara, que probablemente adornaba una momia envuelta, o fardo funerario, representa al Ser Oculado en forma tridimensional. Doce proyecciones alrededor de la cara incluyen cuatro serpientes de doble cabeza, iconografía encontrada en otras máscaras Paracas.

Item History

  • Made between 201 BCE and 101 BCE

What

Name
Large Jar
Identification Number
59.197.4
Type of Item
jar
Material
ceramic and pigment
Overall
length 13.5 in, width 12.5 in, height 12.5 in

Where

Holding Institution
Brooklyn Museum

Who

Culture
Paracas

When

Creation Date
between 201 BCE and 101 BCE

Other

Location
Arts of the Americas Galleries, 5th Floor
Classification
Vessel

Ask a question

Let the RRN community answer your questions

Public
  • Post a Question
  • Message a User Privately

With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account

Shared Knowledge

Share your knowlege of this item with the RRN community

Public

With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account

Similar Items