Jar Depicting Abstract Face Surrounded by Feather Motifs c. 180 - 500

This painted ceramic jar depicting an abstract face surrounded by feather motifs was crafted by the Nazca people. The jar's form is defined by its round, almost globular body, divided visually by a dark horizontal band. Above, two stylized faces emerge, each a radiant burst of red, brown, and beige feathers encircling simple, smiling expressions. The color choices are grounded in earth tones, yet the arrangement of elements suggests an interest in bold, contrasting patterns. The structure of the jar and its decoration create a symbolic interplay. The repeated face motif, combined with feather-like shapes, may be a visual language for the natural world and spiritual beliefs. The feathers, often associated with flight and the divine, frame the human-like faces, hinting at a connection between humanity, nature, and perhaps the cosmos. Note how the artist uses a semiotic system to convey complex cultural ideas through simplified forms. This reflects a deep structural organization underlying the Nazca’s worldview.