ticketsMember | Make a donation

Spout-and-bridge bottle with feline face

800–550 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 362
In the second half of the first millennium BCE, a favorite vessel form on the southern coast of Peru was the double-spout-and-bridge bottle. Often the spout is modeled as a stylized bird head, as here, which functions as a whistle, producing a gentle sound when the liquid inside the bottle is poured out. These bottles are named for the dry Paracas Peninsula and have been found in the valleys to the north and south of it, particularly in the southern Ica Valley. Fired to dark brown tones in a reducing atmosphere, many are decorated with incised feline-based imagery, probably derived from the northern Chavín style. The impressive frontal face of a snarling feline decorates the side of the vessel chamber directly under the whistle spout. The creature's features are geometricized into a series of parallel bands filled in with red and white resin paint. Applied after firing, most of the paint is now missing. Elegantly curved brows over half-closed eyes are framed by straight lines that enclose the face. Small ears extend upward and a wide mouth band displays pointed upper and lower canines. A small modeled pug nose appears between the eyes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Spout-and-bridge bottle with feline face
  • Artist: Paracas artist(s)
  • Date: 800–550 BCE
  • Geography: Peru, Ica Valley
  • Culture: Paracas
  • Medium: Ceramic, post-fire paint
  • Dimensions: H. 7 × W. 5 5/8 × D. 5 3/8 in. (17.8 × 14.3 × 13.7 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Containers
  • Credit Line: Gift of Nathan Cummings, 1962
  • Object Number: 62.266.72
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Bottle, Feline face, Ceramic, post-fired paint, Paracas
Bottle, Feline face
Paracas
7th–4th century BCE
Neckless jar with complex scene, Paracas artist(s), Ceramic, post-fire paint, Paracas
Neckless jar with complex scene
Paracas artist(s)
350 BCE–60 CE
Bowl with zoomorphic motifs, Paracas artist(s), Ceramic, post-fire paint, Paracas
Bowl with zoomorphic motifs
Paracas artist(s)
350–200 BCE
Double-spout bottle, Paracas artist(s), Ceramic, slip, Paracas
Double-spout bottle
Paracas artist(s)
200 BCE–100 CE
Storage jar, Paracas artist(s), Ceramic, post-fire paint, Paracas
Storage jar
Paracas artist(s)
350–200 BCE

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.