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Human head jar

ca. 1500
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Head vessels may represent honored ancestors, a living person of rank, or a deceased enemy. This jar with lifeless, hollow eyes, a rather sunken nose, and parted lips gives the effect of death while the naturalistic, well- modeled, individualized features speak of portraiture. The ear piercings undoubtedly once held ornamentation of some kind. This ancient head vessel is one of more than sixty known examples, many of which also show signs of use.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Human head jar
  • Artist: Unrecorded Mississippian artist
  • Date: ca. 1500
  • Geography: United States, Cross County, Arkansas
  • Culture: Mississippian
  • Medium: Clay, pigment
  • Dimensions: H. 7 3/4 × W. 7 1/4 × D. 7 in. (19.7 × 18.4 × 17.8 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Vessels
  • Credit Line: Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY (T0003)
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing