Bowl c. 1000 - 1150
mimbres
minneapolisinstituteofart
ceramic, earthenware
narrative-art
pottery
ceramic
figuration
earthenware
folk-art
geometric
ceramic
abstraction
earthenware
indigenous-americas
This Mimbres bowl, dating back to 1000-1150 CE, is a remarkable example of Southwestern pottery. The bowl is decorated with a striking image of a stylized animal, likely a deer, rendered in bold red lines against a white background. The artist's use of negative space and geometric patterns, like the radiating lines around the animal, creates a sense of dynamic movement and visual interest. The Mimbres people, known for their intricate and expressive pottery, created these bowls for both utilitarian and ceremonial purposes, reflecting their deep connection to nature and the natural world.
Comments
The Mimbres, a group of people within the Mogollon tradition, lived in southwestern New Mexico from A.D. 1000 to 1150. The majority of Mimbres ceramics are simple, white bowls with black painted, geometric and pictorial designs. Some Mimbres bowls, however, have red designs, as in this example. The color of the designs depended upon how the bowls were fired. A kiln with freely circulating air would cause the iron ore in the paint to oxidize, rendering a red color, but if the oxygen supply was reduced, the paint would fire black. The Mimbres depicted a wide range of creatures, including fish, frogs, rabbits, turtles, bats, birds and humans. Bowls were not only utilitarian but were also ceremonial and accompanied the deceased. When buried with the dead, a hole was punched through the center, and the bowl was then placed over the face.
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