Vessel with Handle 5th–2nd century Paracas This vessel with a handle is from the Paracas culture of the south coast of Peru (5th – 2nd centuries ) has a round body with long handle. It contains decorative elements created using two different techniques. The first is a band of geometric design along part of the mouth of the vessel, defined by making incisions prior to firing, then applying colored paint after firing. This technique is called post-fire resin painting. The paint was made by mixing mineral pigments with plant resin to adhere to the surface of the ceramic. The bright color

Vessel with Handle 5th–2nd century Paracas This vessel with a handle is from the Paracas culture of the south coast of Peru (5th – 2nd centuries ) has a round body with long handle. It contains decorative elements created using two different techniques. The first is a band of geometric design along part of the mouth of the vessel, defined by making incisions prior to firing, then applying colored paint after firing. This technique is called post-fire resin painting. The paint was made by mixing mineral pigments with plant resin to adhere to the surface of the ceramic. The bright colors often used with this technique are red, yellow, brown, black, and white. Scholars have suggested that the usage of certain pigments may indicate access to, and circulation of, the various resources needed in paint production which came from areas outside the Paracas region, which may be indicative of trade networks. Post-fired painting is a technique noted early in Paracas society. The second surface decoration was created using a negative resist technique, evident in the pattern of lightly-colored dots that covers the middle and lower parts of the vessel body. Prior to firing the object in a kiln, the artisan applied a waxy substance to the areas of the vessel to prevent those areas from changing color during the firing process. The substance would then melt off, leaving the pattern, in this case the uneven dots, in its place. The use of negative resist technique is thought to occur later in Paracas society. Other examples of this vessel form are found in the MMA collection, such as this vessel, , however the use of two technological methods, negative resist and post-fired painting is more uncommon. This vessel was likely discovered in a funerary context. The Paracas culture is well-known for their practice of interring their dead as “mummy bundles”. The practice of making mummy bundles involved the interred individual seated in a basket and wrapped and bu

How we Work

Contribute

Legal

Contact Us