Straight-Sided Bowl with Modeled Figures in Interior and Climbing Sides Possibly 1470 - 1600

This straight-sided bowl with modeled figures was crafted by the Inca people, its form and decoration offering insight into their worldview. The bowl is striking in its simple form, a cylindrical shape made from reddish-brown clay. What immediately grabs your attention are the modeled figures: one inside and one on the exterior, seemingly climbing the sides. The texture of the clay is rough, adding a tactile quality to the piece and a sense of earthiness. The Incas frequently used figural representation to embed narratives into everyday objects. Here, the figures challenge our understanding of space and dimensionality. Are they guardians, spirits, or perhaps representations of different realms? The bowl invites us to question fixed meanings and consider the fluid boundaries between the physical and spiritual. In the end, it's not about arriving at a singular meaning but about engaging in a continuous process of interpretation.