Globular Jar with Abstract Forms in Spirals on Shoulder Possibly 600 - 1000

This Tiwanaku ceramic jar, dated to 600–1000 CE, is a testament to the artistic prowess of the pre-Columbian Andean civilization. The globular vessel is decorated with geometric and stylized animal motifs, possibly representing serpents, painted in black, white, and red on a burnished reddish-brown background. The use of such complex patterns and figures demonstrates the advanced skills of the Tiwanaku potters. This piece, currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the aesthetic and symbolic world of this important ancient culture.