Bird Jar
This small vessel is in the form of a bird, probably a sea bird, its long beak resting on its chest. Its wings, bearing incised geometric designs, are folded on the sides of its body. On its chest is a trapezoidal, bib-like ornament decorated with incised cross-hatching. The bird is anthropomorphized with round, staring eyes under prominent eyebrows and ears projecting from the sides of the head. On the front and sides of the forehead are appliqued circular incised elements. The surface is burnished except for the decorated areas which are roughened.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bird Jar
- Date: 12th–9th century BCE
- Geography: Mexico, Mesoamerica
- Culture: Olmec
- Medium: Ceramic
- Dimensions: H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
- Classification: Ceramics-Containers
- Credit Line: Gift of Albert J. Grant and Monique Grant Joint Revocable Trust, 2014
- Object Number: 2014.244.10
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Eastern Nahua artist(s)
1200–1521 CE
Nayarit
200 BCE–200 CE
Las Bocas artist(s)
1200–800 BCE
Ameca-Etzatlán artists
200 BCE–300 CE
South central Veracruz artist(s)
600–1000 CE
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.