Backrest & Vessel for a Shaman, 400 BCE - 250 CE
Huastec culture; Colima, Mexico
Ceramic; 10 …

Images(3)

Backrest & Vessel for a Shaman

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture

Culture Huastec

Culture West Mexican Shaft Tomb

Date400 BCE - 250 CE

Made AtColima, Mexico, Central America, North America

MediumCeramic

Dimensions10 7/16 × 5 1/2 × 9 1/16 in. (26.5 × 14 × 23 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number86.55.33

DescriptionThe concentric circles on this backrest/vessel represent the shaman's eye and its power of penetrating the mysteries of life. The backrest is shaped like a bird, possibly symbolizing the ability of the shaman to alter the shape and form of his soul and leave the body to engage in out-of-body "soul-flight". Birds are often used to reference the theme of shamanic "soul-flight".

On View

On view