Monkey vessel (Simio)

Monkey vessel (Simio)

18th century
Artist
unknown artist
Locale
Tonalá Guadalajara, Mexico
Country
Mexico
Object
vessel
Medium
Earthenware with clay slip paints
Accession Number
2002.5
Credit Line
Department acquisition funds

Unknown artist, Monkey Vessel, 1700s. Earthenware with clay slip paints; 13¼ × 1¼ × 7 in. Department acquisition funds, 2002.5.

Dimensions
height: 13 1/4 in, 33.6550 cm; width: 4 1/4 in, 10.7950 cm; depth: 7 in, 17.7800 cm
Department
Mayer Center, Latin American Art
Collection
Latin American Art
This object is currently on view

The Indigenous ceramic tradition of slip-painted redware was continued throughout the colonial period in Mexico but influenced by European decorative designs. This hand-built hollowware vessel in the shape of a monkey continues the west Mexico tradition of effigy animal figures. The ancient Mexican technique of painting vessels with clay paints known as slips continued in the Mexican colonial period, but the motifs became less geometric and more floral, in line with Spanish tastes. This object serves as an excellent example of the conflation of Indigenous, European, and Asian traditions that occurred in art work during the Spanish Colonial period.
-- Donna Pierce, 2015

Known Provenance
Purchased in 2002 by the Denver Art Museum. Provenance research is on-going at the Denver Art Museum. Please e-mail provenance@denverartmuseum.org, if you have questions, or if you have additional information to share with us.