Bowl Depicting Anthropomorphic Sharks c. 180 - 500

This ceramic bowl, depicting anthropomorphic sharks, was created by the Nazca people. Note the predominantly reddish-brown hue, enveloping the vessel and setting a warm, earthy tone. Observe how the abstract figures of sharks are not merely representational but are stylized through sinuous white lines, filled with angular shapes and sharp edges. The artist uses a semiotic language, where the shark isn't just an animal, but a symbol. Consider the bowl's function – it would have been used for rituals and daily life. The design suggests a world where humans and nature are intertwined, where a shark takes on a human-like form, blurring the lines of identity. It's not just about what is depicted, but how: the structure, the color, the lines. These all come together to present a world where the boundaries are ever shifting. The bowl isn't just a container; it's a narrative, a dialogue between form and function, challenging our perceptions.