Bowl c. 4th century

This earthenware bowl was created by an artist from Colima, a pre-Columbian society in modern-day Mexico. The bowl’s distinctive tripod base, textured surface, and decorative panel invite us to consider the rich cultural context in which it was produced. Colima society, which flourished from roughly 300 BCE to 300 CE, was highly stratified, with distinct social classes and specialized labor. This bowl, with its refined craftsmanship and symbolic details, likely served a ritual purpose within the elite class, perhaps relating to funerary practices. The tripod design might connect to cosmological beliefs. We can also consider the institutional aspect: it is now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, inviting us to consider how museums shape our understanding of ancient cultures. Through archaeological research, we continue to uncover and understand the complex social structures that influenced artistic production.