Tlatilco female figure. Central Mexico, site of This piece is a small figurine made from Tlatilco. 1200 900 B.C.E. ceramic. clay. It is a female, perhaps another sort – of fertility figurine. There is much emphasis around the hips, which are significant in bearing a child. There are also two faces, why? The use of ceramics shows human understanding of manipulating natural materials. The carvings are very detailed and on top of that there are additional painted details. Contextual Analysis: The purpose of this figure is most likely religious or in relation to fertility. The piece is small, hinting that is was meant to be portable. It is not free standing, so it was perhaps meant to be carried, however, being ceramic it is much more fragile than a rock figurine. (http://www.cram.com/user/jsalka) Content: This piece demonstrated the repetition of Terra cotta fragment. Lapita. Solomon geometric patterns. There is occasionally Islands, Reef Islands. 100 B.C.E. Terra cotta a stylized face within the carvings. Many (incised). Lapita ceramics are large vessels thought to be used for cooking or storage. Style: The patterns on these fragments or other whole vessels were incised into the wet clay before firing. They used a comb like tool to stamp the designs into the clay. Contextual Analysis: These pieces come from what once was a large vessel likely used for cooking or storage. The designs often included specific patterns or stylized faces that may have been used to resemble a specific person or the importance of an individual. (http://www.cram.com/user/jsalka)
Tlatilco female figure. Central Mexico, site of Tlatilco. 1200 – 900 B.C.E. ceramic. This piece is a small figurine made from clay. It is a female, perhaps another sort of fertility figurine. There is much emphasis around the hips, which are significant in bearing a child. There are also two faces, why? The use of ceramics shows human understanding of manipulating natural materials. The carvings are very detailed and on top of that there are additional painted details. Contextual Analysis: The purpose of this figure is most likely religious or in relation to fertility. The piece is small, hinting that is was meant to be portable. It is not free standing, so it was perhaps meant to be carried, however, being ceramic it is much more fragile than a rock figurine. (http://www.cram.com/user/jsalka) Terra cotta fragment. Lapita. Solomon Islands, Reef Islands. 100 B.C.E. Terra cotta (incised). Content: This piece demonstrated the repetition of geometric patterns. There is occasionally a stylized face within the carvings. Many Lapita ceramics are large vessels thought to be used for cooking or storage. Style: The patterns on these fragments or other whole vessels were incised into the wet clay before firing. They used a comb like tool to stamp the designs into the clay. Contextual Analysis: These pieces come from what once was a large vessel likely used for cooking or storage. The designs often included specific patterns or stylized faces that may have been used to resemble a specific person or the importance of an individual. (http://www.cram.com/user/jsalka)