4. Unknown Pre-Colombian Artisan
Turtle-shaped Bowl
Costa Rica
Unknown date
4. Artesanos precolombinos desconocidos
Cuenco en forma de tortuga
Costa Rica
Fecha desconocida
On view
Date
Unknown
Fecha
Desconocida
Material
Terracotta and pigment
Materiales
Terracota y pigmento
Medium
Pottery
Técnica
Cerámica
Dimensions
Unknown
Dimensiones
Desconocidas
Accession Number
1985x.112 E63
Número de
inventario
1985x.112 E63
ENGLISH
The permanent collection of the Art Museum of South Texas focuses on the “The Art of the Americas” and is a teaching collection. The earliest works from the Americas are represented by the selection on display in these exhibition cases. The majority of the works were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Cedric H. Marks of New York who provided this gift to the Museum in 1982. The Museum also has other Pre-Colombian materials from several donors which are on view in this area.
The term “Pre-Colombian” refers to the time prior to Christopher Columbus’ arrival at what Europeans considered “The New World” in 1492. It also marks the time of history for the indigenous cultures of the Americas before they were influenced by contact with the Europeans.
Numerous cultures that developed in Mexico, Mesoamerica, (more commonly referred to as Central America), and South America (particularly in Peru) are represented in the selections in this gallery. They include cultures from Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, and Peru.
As you study the artifacts, imagine what the objects were used for - was it ceremonial, everyday life, spiritual, or simply artistic?