ceramics – Page 2 – Urocyon's Jaunts 2.0

tlatollotl:

Tetrapod Bowl

Date: 1st–4th century

Geography: Guatemala, Mesoamerica

Culture: Maya

Wide-mouthed bowls or plates are believed to have been used as presentation or serving vessels. Those raised on four bulbous feet are identified with the Maya lowlands of Mexico and Guatemala in the earliest centuries A.D. and include a rather showy type surfaced with an arresting, bright orange-red slip, as seen here. The surface is continuous, even, and smooth in color; the shape is clean lined and well balanced. This type of vessel represents a considerable display of proficiency in the art and technique of the potter and was valued as a precious object at the time of manufacture. Other ceramics of specialized shape and size were finished with the same orange-red surface color. Perhaps suites of similarly hued ceramic containers were particularly meaningful together. This example has dark gray firing-clouds on the bottom of the feet, the only change in color from smooth orange-red on the vessel.

The Met

tlatollotl:

Bottle, Feline Face

Date: 4th–3rd century B.C.

Geography: Peru, Ica Valley

Culture: Paracas

In the second half of the first millennium B.C., a favorite vessel form on the southern coast of Peru was the double-spout-and-bridge bottle. Often the spout is modeled as a stylized bird head, as here, which functions as a whistle, producing a gentle sound when the liquid inside the bottle is poured out. These bottles are named for the dry Paracas Peninsula and have been found in the valleys to the north and south of it, particularly in the southern Ica Valley. Fired to dark brown tones in a reducing atmosphere, many are decorated with incised feline-based imagery, probably derived from the northern Chavín style. The impressive frontal face of a snarling feline decorates the side of the vessel chamber directly under the whistle spout. The creature’s features are geometricized into a series of parallel bands filled in with red and white resin paint. Applied after firing, most of the paint is now missing. Elegantly curved brows over half-closed eyes are framed by straight lines that enclose the face. Small ears extend upward and a wide mouth band displays pointed upper and lower canines. A small modeled pug nose appears between the eyes.

The Met

virgo-79:

ceruleancynic:

did-you-kno:

After a year of developing prototypes,
artist Jon Almeda successfully created
a teeny, tiny pottery wheel that allows
him to spin clay into quaint little pots.

Almeda makes vases, bowls, decor, and even tea kettles that are small enough to sit atop a piece of Scotch tape.

These pieces are sturdy enough to undergo standard glazing and firing, then transform into fully embellished ceramics.

JON ALMEDA
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Source

EEEEEE

ohhh noooooo they’re so tiny