Low Jar with Small Spout Depicting a Repeated Abstract Star or Face Motif c. 180 - 500

This low jar with a small spout was made by the Nazca people of ancient Peru. It is decorated with a repeated abstract motif depicting either a star or a face. The Nazca civilization flourished in the arid coastal region of Peru from around 100 BCE to 800 CE. Their society depended on successful agriculture in a challenging environment. The Nazca are renowned for their elaborate textiles and ceramics, as well as the famous Nazca Lines – enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert landscape. This jar, like other Nazca ceramics, would have had both a functional and a symbolic role. Vessels like this were used for serving food and drink in elite social settings. The striking designs may have referenced important deities, ancestors, or cosmological concepts. Historical and archaeological research can help us learn more about the social and religious beliefs of the Nazca people, shedding light on the meaning and purpose of their artistic creations. By considering the social and environmental context, we can appreciate the depth of thought that went into even seemingly simple objects like this jar.