Object ID: 1998.01.18
The Huetar people, who inhabited Costa Rica from approximately AD 800 to 1600, made many tripod objects like this one. Many of their ceramics and stone artifacts include representations of animals like this turtle. The legs have vertical slits and clay balls inside of them that create noise when the object is moved.
Catalog Record
Culture/Ethnicity: Huetar
Object Name: Vessel
Other Name: Huetar Effigy Bowl
Artist/Creator: NA
Locale: Guanacaste
Use: Domestic Use/Ceremony/Ritual/Religion/Decorative
Construction: Coiled
Height: 10
Length: 22
Width: 15
Location: Kent Hall, East Gallery, Unit_2, Shelf_2
Description: Turtle effigy bowl on tripod feet has etched design around entire body, legs and head. Diagonal lines form triangular desings along border. Drilled hole in top of head and vertuical holes on outside of legs. Vessel is slipped and glazed. Noisemaking balls in the legs.
Source: Horace and Patricia Poeter