GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The body of this unusual vessel appears to be the torso of a human figure with its arms thrown to the back. A multi-headed serpentine form encircles the body. When the vessel is positioned vertically with the rounded black base nestled in the earth for support, the separately modeled head thrusts upward so that its wide-open mouth becomes the mouth of the container. Stripes with two vertical rows of spots descend from the figure's eyes. The hair is plaited into four braids, two of which hang down beside the face while two fall to the back. The combination of a human form with animal or supernatural traits, including the meandering snakes and falconlike eye bands, probably indicates that the figure had a supernatural status.
Adapted from
Label text, A. H. Meadows Galleries.
NOTES
- Paracas, Early Horizon, 300–100 B.C.E. (noted on TMS, website), updated by KJones on TMS, 11/29/13, 06/29/14, and 02/26/16.
- Fun Facts Source: Object Information Sheet (1971.39), June 05, 1991, Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File.
- General Description drawn from: DMA Label Copy (1971.39), n.d.
Fun fact removed at request of Michelle Rich, March 2020- This piece is still fused to its base ring; it also still has paint lifting from the surface.
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RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1971: Everett Rassiga, Inc. (Everett Rassiga), New York [1]
From 1971: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Art Museum League Fund [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is Invoice from Everett Rassiga, Inc. (dated June 09, 1971, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is letter from Merrill C. Rueppel, the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts Director, to Mrs. George A. Shutt (Nancy Shutt), President of the DMFA Art Museum League (dated June 10, 1971, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated June 08, 1971, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[4] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston~Read about a nearly identical piece in the MFAB Art of the Americas collection.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1971.39
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General Description
The body of this unusual vessel appears to be the torso of a human figure with its arms thrown to the back. A multi-headed serpentine form encircles the body. When the vessel is positioned vertically with the rounded black base nestled in the earth for support, the separately modeled head thrusts upward so that its wide-open mouth becomes the mouth of the container. Stripes with two vertical rows of spots descend from the figure's eyes. The hair is plaited into four braids, two of which hang down beside the face while two fall to the back. The combination of a human form with animal or supernatural traits, including the meandering snakes and falconlike eye bands, probably indicates that the figure had a supernatural status.
Adapted from
Label text, A. H. Meadows Galleries.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston~Read about a nearly identical piece in the MFAB Art of the Americas collection.
Notes
- Paracas, Early Horizon, 300–100 B.C.E. (noted on TMS, website), updated by KJones on TMS, 11/29/13, 06/29/14, and 02/26/16.
- Fun Facts Source: Object Information Sheet (1971.39), June 05, 1991, Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File.
- General Description drawn from: DMA Label Copy (1971.39), n.d.
Fun fact removed at request of Michelle Rich, March 2020- This piece is still fused to its base ring; it also still has paint lifting from the surface.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1971: Everett Rassiga, Inc. (Everett Rassiga), New York [1]
From 1971: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Art Museum League Fund [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is Invoice from Everett Rassiga, Inc. (dated June 09, 1971, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is letter from Merrill C. Rueppel, the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts Director, to Mrs. George A. Shutt (Nancy Shutt), President of the DMFA Art Museum League (dated June 10, 1971, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated June 08, 1971, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[4] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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1971.39
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object_notes_1_a-0014.xml.nores