Plate with Footprint Motif

Plate with Footprint Motif

700–1000 CE
Locale
central Panama
Country
Panama
Style/Tradition
Conte
Object
plate
Medium
Slip-painted ceramic
Accession Number
1991.1270
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Shore

Unknown artist, Coclé, Pacific coast of Panama. Plate with Footprint Motif, 700–1000 CE. Slip-painted ceramic, 2 ⅜ x 13 ⅝ inches. Denver Art Museum Collection: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Shore, 1991.1270.

Dimensions
height: 2.375 in, 6.0325 cm; diameter: 13.625 in, 34.6075 cm
Department
Mayer Center, Arts of the Ancient Americas
Collection
Arts of the Ancient Americas
This object is currently on view

Plate with Footprint Motif
Conte style
About A.D. 700–1000
Central Panama
Earthenware with colored slips
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Shore, 1991.1270

The circular paths on this plate suggest the movements of dancers in a plaza, or perhaps a ritual procession.  Curiously, however, only the prints of left feet are represented, and each foot has only four toes.  Several ceramic vessels excavated at the site of Sitio Conte, Panama are decorated with numerous tiny, quickly sketched footprints, but the large, clear motifs on this plate are unusual.

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