ART 198 - HISTORY OF WORLD CERAMICS

In the ritual dances of Veracruz, these dancers appear to represent animals which have precise association with various gods. The one in front represents a vulture, along whose arms and above his head are elaborate plumes and feathers. Note the pronounced vulture beak on the face mask. The other figure represents a wild boar, who wears a large pectoral which represents the shell of a sea turtle. In Mesoamerican cultures the shell of the sea turtle is a symbol of the universe, in that it floats upon the water, and is an image of the interface of the world and the sky, its shell representing the inhabited world of man. These figures are male, and they wear wrap around sashes tied in front. Made using press molds, the details were hand modeled. Most figures are represented wearing large ear plugs.

Dancers, Veracruz, Earthenware Classic period, 600-800 CE