Bird Jar

Unknown

12th–9th century BCE · Ceramic · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

This small vessel is in the form of a bird, probably a sea bird, its long beak resting on its chest. Its wings, bearing incised geometric designs, are folded on the sides of its body. On its chest is a trapezoidal, bib-like ornament decorated with incised cross-hatching. The bird is anthropomorphized with round, staring eyes under prominent eyebrows and ears projecting from the sides of the head. On the front and sides of the forehead are appliqued circular incised elements. The surface is burnished except for the decorated areas which are roughened.

Artist

Unknown

Date

12th–9th century BCE

Medium

Ceramic

Culture

Olmec

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Albert J. Grant and Monique Grant Joint Revocable Trust, 2014