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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Plate
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Plate

Artist/Maker (Panama)
Dateca. 700-850
Mediumpottery and slip paint
DimensionsOverall: 1 5/8 x 7 1/8 in. (4.1 x 18.1 cm)
ClassificationsContainers
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Terms
    Object number89.0081
    DescriptionThis Gran Coclé period plate depicts a crab using a polychrome palette of red, black, white, and purple paint. The use of purple in the design may indicate the dish belongs to the Conte style, as the Conte introduced the use of purple pigments on ceramics. Ancient Panamanians were known for using these same colors for elaborate body paint. Also indicative of the Conte style is the accurate taxonomic depiction of the crab. Between the crab’s bottom claws is an egg sack, an iconographic detail that comes only with familiarity and close contact with the animal. The use of red and black is symbolic of duality, conceivably signifying the powers of creation versus the forces of destruction.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 700-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 1100-1400
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 200-500
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 900-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 850-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    early 18th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Eladia Herman
    ca. 2013
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Eladia Herman
    ca. 2013
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 800-1200
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    collected 1932
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    collected 1932