Aryballos with Modeled and Painted Face on Neck of Vessel Possibly 1200 - 1450

Curator: Ah, what a striking piece of Inca pottery. This is an aryballos, or Inca-style storage jar, dating possibly from 1200 to 1450, and it’s now part of the collection here at The Art Institute of Chicago. It is titled "Aryballos with Modeled and Painted Face on Neck of Vessel". Editor: My first thought? It has a rather captivating yet understated presence. The vessel is smaller than I anticipated, perhaps only several inches tall, and the rounded body provides a sense of gentle solidity. Curator: Indeed. Aryballos jars like this were central to Inca society. Their shape, with the flared lip, the handle attached low on the body, and the pointed base, allowed them to be easily carried on the back using a strap. And of course, these are generally associated with the serving of chicha. Editor: And the interplay of geometric forms is quite clever, isn't it? Note the registers of repeating squares and triangles, separated by dark bands which compress them dynamically, circling the ovoid body. Curator: Absolutely, and consider too the face modeled near the top! Its presence speaks volumes about the Incan worldview. Some scholars propose that these features relate to deities, ancestors, or the ruling elite, reinforcing power structures and legitimizing the social order. The geometric motifs themselves might echo textile patterns or architectural designs, thereby binding the vessel more closely to Inca culture. Editor: An interesting suggestion. The palette here also lends itself to considering this society and culture as one, composed only of earth tones of reddish-browns, tans, and creams and thus suggesting something organic, grounded… almost monolithic. Curator: Quite possibly intended, right? The Incas frequently sought ways to convey both might and organicism, through their artwork. It is amazing that such a humble vessel can teach us so much about cultural expression, ritual use, and social significance. Editor: It’s this harmony of design and intent that makes the piece truly memorable, for me.