Bowl with Concentric Half-Circle Motifs Descending from Rim c. 180 - 500

This bowl was made by an artist from the Nazca culture, fashioned from humble clay. The smooth surface of the bowl has been painted with slip, a liquid clay that is applied before firing. But this isn't just decoration; it's a sophisticated cultural language. The concentric half-circle motifs are precisely rendered, demanding a slow and practiced hand, while the dark color on the exterior acts as a backdrop to the colorful abstract motifs, creating a captivating visual effect. Notice the breaks along the rim. They speak of a life lived, of use and ritual, of the inherent fragility of the ceramic medium itself. Although we might view this piece in isolation, remember that it emerged from a deeply embedded set of social relations. The creation of ceramics involved specialized labor and knowledge, passed down through generations. This bowl represents a union of skill, material, and meaning, challenging any rigid distinction between art and craft.