Symmetry in Diaguita ceramics
Diaguitas inhabited the land between the Elqui and Choapa rivers, but in their final phase they reached the Maipo Valley, ruling in alliance with the Incas. Their ceramicists fashioned pieces in three or more colours with finely burnished surfaces. Like their duck-shaped pitchers, many vessels display human or animal figures, but symmetrically organized geometric shapes are the predominant motif. More than simply ornamental, the motifs were part of a visual language whose meaning remains a mystery.
Symmetry in Diaguita ceramics.
Symmetry in Diaguita ceramics.
Symmetry in Diaguita ceramics.
Double bowl. Diaguita. Donación Santa Cruz-Yaconi, 2078.
Symmetry in Diaguita ceramics.
Zoomorphic pitcher. Detail. Diaguita. Donación Santa Cruz-Yaconi, 0060.
Deep bowl. Diaguita. MCHAP, 0072.
Bowl with feline motifs. Diaguita. MCHAP, 3665.
Feline-shaped bowl. Diaguita. Donación Santa Cruz-Yaconi, 2266.
Fish-shaped bowl. Diaguita. Donación Santa Cruz-Yaconi, 2267.
Polychrome bowl. Diaguita.
Bowl with feline features. Diaguita. MCHAP, 0067.
Bowl with feline features. Diaguita. MCHAP, 0067.
Bird-shaped pitcher. Diaguita. Donación Santa Cruz-Yaconi, 2263.
Polychrome bowl. Diaguita.
Symmetry in Diaguita ceramics. MCHAP, 0067.
Polychrome bowls. Diaguita. MCHAP, 0072.
Polychrome bowls. Diaguita. MCHAP, 0065.
Detail.
Bowl with zoomorphic figures. Diaguita. Donación Santa Cruz-Yaconi, 2097.
Diaguita geometric ceramic designs. Drawing, Alex Olave.
Diaguita ceramic making. Illustration, José Pérez de Arce.