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

This globular jar was created by the Tiwanaku people, and we can see immediately the importance of material and making to its effect. It’s made of earthenware, or baked clay, a readily available material that would have been gathered and processed by hand. The potter would have formed it either by hand-building, using coils of clay, or perhaps on a simple turntable. The surface has a burnished slip, a coating of fine clay that gives it a smooth, almost polished look. Then comes the painted decoration: abstract spirals with stylized animal forms, painted in dark brown, black, and white pigments. Consider the labor involved in creating this jar from start to finish: from digging and preparing the clay, to forming the vessel, to painting the intricate designs. Its value lies not just in its function as a container, but also as a testament to human skill and creativity. By focusing on material and making, we can move beyond simply admiring its aesthetic qualities, and appreciate it as a product of human ingenuity and cultural expression.