GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Mimbres potters developed one of the Southwest’s most appealing painting styles, distinguished by geometric compositions and narrative imagery that provides an eloquent record of Mimbres life. The painting on many Mimbres vessels suggests concepts of sacred space or cosmic geography. The edge of the bowl may have marked the boundary of an orderly world, while the center space, often empty and white, may refer to the Earth Center. Here zigzags, stepped frets, and diamond motifs emanate from that center. The jagged, angular forms convey the dynamic tension of lightning in a darkened sky.
Adapted from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Bowl with geometric design (1982.94)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 55.
- DMA Label Copy (1982.94), 1993.
NOTES
- Mogollon -- Mimbres, 1000–1150 CE (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 03/14/16, 07/28/16, 10/06/16, 06/01/17, and 10/19/17.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks) -- Provenance Note: Elizabeth M. and Duncan E. Boeckman are the anonymous donors. The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential).
Former fun facts:
- Named on "American Indian and Northwest Coast Top Ten List" (August 6, 1992), Steven A. LeBlanc, former curator at the Southwest Museum at Los Angeles.
- Ranked number 3 on "Ceramics of the Southwest United States, Prehistoric to 20th century" list (Items ranked on a scale of 1 through 5, 5 being outstanding).
- Fun Facts Source: TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, data entered by Natalie Davis, 08/06/1992; TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, data entered by David Alcoze, 06/09/1992.
- Removed the fun fact listed above by request of Michelle Rich, 2/20/2019 due to its lighthearted tone and the gravity of the object. Michelle also questioned the veracity of the information because she is unable to track down who David Alcoze is. (Emily Schiller; 2/25/2019)
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Mogollon: AAT: 300016929
Mimbres: AAT: 300016943
Southwestern North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016920
Geography
New Mexico (state): TGN: 7007566
Southwest (general region): TGN: 4010660
Mogollon Mountains (mountains): TGN: 1109357
Mimbres (river): TGN: 1127171
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
clay: AAT: 300010439
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
glazing (coating): AAT: 300053914
burnishing (polishing): AAT: 30053869
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
kilns (ovens / heating equipment): AAT: 300022798
iron ore: AAT: 300379991
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
bowls (vessels): AAT: 300203596
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
funerary objects: AAT: 300234126
black (color): AAT: 300130920
white (color): AAT: 300129784
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
stripes: AAT: 300010230
bands (decorative): DMA
parallel (positional attributes): AAT: 300010284
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
frets (pattern): AAT: 300010155
fretwork: AAT: 300165040
stepped frets (meanders (patterns)/motifs): AAT: 300010171
diamonds (motifs): AAT: 300009791
lightning: AAT: 300068795
myth: AAT: 300201023
cosmology (cosmological / disciplines): AAT: 300054294
sacred spaces: AAT: 300400518
cosmic diagram (cosmos / cosmic geography / cosmic landscape): DMA
Mimbres Black-on-white (ceramic type / Southwestern North American style): AAT: 300016945
cracks: AAT: 300209168
repetition (artistic concept): AAT: 300400861
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 1987: Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, anonymous gift [1], [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Deed of Gift (dated May 28, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[4] See Collections Records Digital Object File.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1987.331.FA
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General Description
Mimbres potters developed one of the Southwest’s most appealing painting styles, distinguished by geometric compositions and narrative imagery that provides an eloquent record of Mimbres life. The painting on many Mimbres vessels suggests concepts of sacred space or cosmic geography. The edge of the bowl may have marked the boundary of an orderly world, while the center space, often empty and white, may refer to the Earth Center. Here zigzags, stepped frets, and diamond motifs emanate from that center. The jagged, angular forms convey the dynamic tension of lightning in a darkened sky.
Adapted from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Bowl with geometric design (1982.94)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 55.
- DMA Label Copy (1982.94), 1993.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- Mogollon -- Mimbres, 1000–1150 CE (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 03/14/16, 07/28/16, 10/06/16, 06/01/17, and 10/19/17.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks) -- Provenance Note: Elizabeth M. and Duncan E. Boeckman are the anonymous donors. The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential).
Former fun facts:
- Named on "American Indian and Northwest Coast Top Ten List" (August 6, 1992), Steven A. LeBlanc, former curator at the Southwest Museum at Los Angeles.
- Ranked number 3 on "Ceramics of the Southwest United States, Prehistoric to 20th century" list (Items ranked on a scale of 1 through 5, 5 being outstanding).
- Fun Facts Source: TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, data entered by Natalie Davis, 08/06/1992; TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, data entered by David Alcoze, 06/09/1992.
- Removed the fun fact listed above by request of Michelle Rich, 2/20/2019 due to its lighthearted tone and the gravity of the object. Michelle also questioned the veracity of the information because she is unable to track down who David Alcoze is. (Emily Schiller; 2/25/2019)
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Mogollon: AAT: 300016929
Mimbres: AAT: 300016943
Southwestern North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016920
Geography
New Mexico (state): TGN: 7007566
Southwest (general region): TGN: 4010660
Mogollon Mountains (mountains): TGN: 1109357
Mimbres (river): TGN: 1127171
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
clay: AAT: 300010439
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
glazing (coating): AAT: 300053914
burnishing (polishing): AAT: 30053869
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
kilns (ovens / heating equipment): AAT: 300022798
iron ore: AAT: 300379991
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
bowls (vessels): AAT: 300203596
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
funerary objects: AAT: 300234126
black (color): AAT: 300130920
white (color): AAT: 300129784
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
stripes: AAT: 300010230
bands (decorative): DMA
parallel (positional attributes): AAT: 300010284
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
frets (pattern): AAT: 300010155
fretwork: AAT: 300165040
stepped frets (meanders (patterns)/motifs): AAT: 300010171
diamonds (motifs): AAT: 300009791
lightning: AAT: 300068795
myth: AAT: 300201023
cosmology (cosmological / disciplines): AAT: 300054294
sacred spaces: AAT: 300400518
cosmic diagram (cosmos / cosmic geography / cosmic landscape): DMA
Mimbres Black-on-white (ceramic type / Southwestern North American style): AAT: 300016945
cracks: AAT: 300209168
repetition (artistic concept): AAT: 300400861
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 1987: Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, anonymous gift [1], [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Deed of Gift (dated May 28, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[4] See Collections Records Digital Object File.
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