Large Jar
Paracas
1 of 8
Object Label
On the South Coast of Peru a mythological figure began appearing on ceramics and textiles about 200 to 100 B.C.E. This mysterious figure, identified by scholars as the Oculate Being, may be an early agricultural fertility-cult deity. It is depicted with large eyes, an oversized head, an elongated nose, a smiling sausage-shaped mouth, and a protruding tongue. Numerous streamers flow from its head and body.
On the jar displayed here, the deity holds a trophy head, ritually taken in battle. The mask, which probably adorned a wrapped corpse, or mummy bundle, depicts the Oculate Being in threedimensional form. Twelve projecting tabs around the face include four double-headed snakes, iconography seen on other Paracas masks.
On the jar displayed here, the deity holds a trophy head, ritually taken in battle. The mask, which probably adorned a wrapped corpse, or mummy bundle, depicts the Oculate Being in threedimensional form. Twelve projecting tabs around the face include four double-headed snakes, iconography seen on other Paracas masks.
Caption
Paracas. Large Jar, 200–100 B.C.E.. Ceramic, pigments, 13 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. (34.3 x 31.8 x 31.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 59.197.4. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Large Jar
Date
200–100 B.C.E.
Geography
Place found: Ica Valley, South Coast, Peru
Medium
Ceramic, pigments
Classification
Dimensions
13 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. (34.3 x 31.8 x 31.8 cm)
Credit Line
Frank L. Babbott Fund
Accession Number
59.197.4
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at