Neck of a Large Ceremonial Jar in the Form of a Head Possibly 700 - 800

This is the neck of a large ceremonial jar, sculpted by the Tiwanaku people, and now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Crafted in the highlands of Bolivia and Peru, the Tiwanaku culture flourished between 550 and 950 AD, long before the Inca. This fragment gives insight into Tiwanaku aesthetics and societal structure. Its painted terracotta surface displays a human head, likely a representation of an elite member or deity. Notice the serene yet powerful expression, achieved through subtle carving and the striking contrast between the red face and the ochre headdress. Such jars were used in rituals, possibly involving the consumption of maize beer, solidifying community bonds and affirming hierarchical roles. This artwork transcends its function as a vessel, embodying the complex interplay of power, identity, and spirituality in Tiwanaku society. It also poignantly reminds us of the human desire to shape and understand our world, and of the stories that material objects silently carry across time.