Handled Flask Depicting Abstract Figure Possibly 500 - 800

This handled flask, from the Nieveria culture, is made from earthenware using coil and modelling techniques. Notice the round body, cylindrical neck, and a face depicted in the center of the flask. The flask's earthy color comes from the terracotta clay it’s made from, shaped by hand and fired in a kiln. The abstract figure was also formed from clay and then added to the surface. It shows us not just the skill of the artist, but also their connection to the raw materials around them. This wasn't just about aesthetics. Pottery like this was crucial for everyday life, and the flask reflects the Nieveria people's relationship with their environment. The flask blurs the line between art and craft. It’s a functional object, but also carries symbolic meaning through its shape and decoration. When we look at it, we're seeing not just a beautiful form, but also a reflection of a whole society's values and way of life.