Miniature Jar with Textile Pattern or Abstract Fish Motifs Possibly 1450 - 1532

This miniature jar was made from clay by an Inca artist. Although we don’t know its exact date, we can assume it reflects the cultural and social environment of the Inca civilization, which flourished in the Andes Mountains of South America from the 15th to 16th centuries. The Inca were master potters, renowned for their technical skill and aesthetic refinement. This jar's decoration, with textile patterns or abstract fish motifs, is typical of Inca art, which often featured geometric designs and stylized representations of animals and plants. The Inca state controlled artistic production to a degree, and many Inca artworks served a political function, reinforcing the power and prestige of the ruling elite. The study of Inca pottery is thus crucial to our understanding of Inca society, economy, and politics. It provides a wealth of information that is not available in written sources.