2011.45 Classic Mimbres Black-on-white bowl: geometric composition and radiating feathers (New Mexico, Mogollon (Mimbres))

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 zigzagged, spiraled frets and radiating feathers 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 (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 07/28/16 and 10/19/17.

Catalogue essays

Artist/designers

Cultures

Mimbres (Mogollon)

Mogollon: AAT: 300016929

Mimbres: AAT: 300016943

Southwestern North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016920

Geography

The Southwest United States

New Mexico (state): TGN: 7007566

Southwest (general region): TGN: 4010660

Mogollon Mountains (mountains): TGN: 1109357

Mimbres (river): TGN: 1127171

Process/materials

Mimbres (Mogollon) Ceramics

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

squares (geometric figures): AAT: 300055637

zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028

frets (pattern): AAT: 300010155

fretwork: AAT: 300165040

stepped frets (meanders (patterns)/motifs): AAT: 300010171

step pattern: AAT: 300010229

spirals (geometric figures): AAT: 300163114

scrolls (spirals/motifs): AAT: 300010094

feathers (animal components): AAT: 300400474

birds (motifs): AAT: 300375751

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

breaking (broken / destruction / process): AAT: 300053083

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

From 2011: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Elizabeth and Duncan Boeckman [1]

[1] The main source for this provenance is existing information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

AUDIO ASSETS

VIDEO ASSETS

IMAGE ASSETS

WEB RESOURCES

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

Apply to objects where number equals 2011.45