Bowl 11th-16th century

ceramic, earthenware

ceramic

earthenware

indigenous-americas

This Nicoya ceramic bowl, dating back to the 11th-16th century, is a testament to the artistic skill of the indigenous peoples of Costa Rica. The bowl's rounded form is adorned with intricate geometric and stylized motifs, painted in a palette of red, orange, black and white. These designs, characteristic of the Nicoya style, likely held symbolic meaning within their culture. The bowl, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, serves as a valuable artifact for understanding the artistic heritage of the Nicoya people.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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The large, frontal, round eyes painted on this bowl represent the eyes of an owl. In the Nicoya-Guanacaste tradition, the owl held special ties to the Unknown, and was associated with the mysterious and sacred aspects of the afterlife. Owls, with their special nighttime vision, together with their ability to navigate long cavernous passageways, were seen as gifted creatures. The ancient Native cultures likened the owl's journey to the human journey into the afterlife, except that the owl was able to return. Because of this, owl imagery often signifies the role of spiritual messenger.