Bottle 1400 - 1532
inca1
minneapolisinstituteofart
ceramic
3d sculpting
egg art
3d printed part
ceramic
jewelry design
ring
sculptural image
3d shape
stoneware
wash background
ceramic
This ceramic bottle, created by the Inca people between 1400 and 1532, is a striking example of their artistry. The vessel is shaped like two spheres connected by a bridge, with a slender spout rising from each sphere and a small, seated dog sculpture perched atop the central bridge. The bottle, crafted from blackware clay, exhibits a smooth, polished surface, emphasizing the simple yet elegant design. The distinct facial features sculpted into the spheres further highlight the artistic skill of the Inca potters and likely held a deeper cultural significance for the people. The bottle is now part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection.
Comments
This bottle has two chambers in the form of stylized potatoes, a staple of the Andean diet for at least 8000 years. In Quechua, the language of the Inka, kawsay or "food for all" is the word for potato, referencing its essential function as a source of nourishment for the vast Inka Empire. Each chamber is topped with a spout; a bridge connects the two. When the bottle was tipped to force liquid back and forth between the chambers, an intentional whistling sound was produced.
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