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Bowl with a Figure Holding a Macaw

A work made of ceramic and pigment.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of ceramic and pigment.

Date:

1400–1625

Artist:

Hopi, Sikyatki Polychrome
Hopi, First Mesa, Arizona, United States

About this artwork

The bisected design of this bowl interior features a field of paint spatter contrasting with a standing figure holding a macaw in his outstretched hand. The figure depicts a ritualist wearing an embroidered kilt and a pair of feathers in his hair. He is further ornamented with polychrome paint that covers his face, torso, and arms. The red color and long tail feathers of the bird indicate that it is a scarlet macaw, a type of parrot traded from Mexico. These birds were symbolically associated with the power of the sun and agricultural abundance, and their brilliant feathers were highly valued in ceremonial contexts.

Modern-day Pueblo communities leave prayer sticks adorned with feathers at specific sacred places in the landscape. These ritual objects are offered as prayers to the gods and the natural elements, asking them to bring rainclouds to regenerate the crops in the cultivated fields.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Americas

Culture

Hopi Tribe

Title

Bowl with a Figure Holding a Macaw

Place

Arizona (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1400–1625

Medium

Ceramic and pigment

Dimensions

11.5 × 31.6 × 31 cm (4 9/16 × 12 1/2 × 12 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Edward and Betty Harris

Reference Number

2004.1152

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/187554/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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