ID: 700008567 Page link: http://vocab.getty.edu/page/cona/700008567	Record Type: Movable Work
Images: 1

Vulture Vessel (vessel (container); unknown Aztec; 1200/1521; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, New York state, U...; 1981.297)

Note: Ceramic vessels in the form of animal effigies were made in large numbers in many parts of Mexico throughout the Precolumbian era. Often used in ceremonies, the animals selected for depiction were those that played a role in myth. They served as cultural and cosmic metaphors based on their habitat and natural features. Birds generally symbolized the celestial realm and were associated with the sun, moon, and planet Venus; they were also considered messengers between the world of the living and the supernatural sphere. The bird depicted on this handsome tripod vessel, supported by the bird's legs and tail, probably represents a king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) because of the characteristic fleshy protuberance (now missing) at the base of its beak. Although king vultures feed primarily on carrion, they will occasionally kill for food; they are therefore connected with human sacrifice in ancient Mexican thought. The rendering of the bird includes three significant human aspects: from its projecting "ear" flanges hang pendant ornaments; its talons are shown as hands with prominent thumbs; and its head is adorned with a pleated paper fan often seen on headdresses of Aztec deity figures.

Titles:

Vulture Vessel (preferred,C,U,RP,English-P,U,U)

Catalog Level: item

Work Types:

vessel (container) [300193015] (preferred)

..... (Objects Facet, Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name), Containers (hierarchy name), containers (receptacles), <containers by form>)

Classifications:

ceramics (preferred)

Pre-Columbian art

Creation Date: 1200/1521

Creator Display:

unknown Aztec [preferred,VP]

artists unknown Aztec (Aztec cultural designation) [500202913]

Locations:

Other: Creation: México [7005560] North and Central America (continent), World (facet) (Geographic)

Current: Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, New York state, United States) [500125157] Corporate Bodies (Corp. Body)

Repository Numbers: 1981.297

Credit Line: Gift of Carol R. Meyer, 1981

Display Materials: Ceramic

	ceramic (material) [300235507]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by composition>, inorganic material, clay, <clay by product>, <ceramic and ceramic by product>)

Dimensions: H. 8 3/4 in.

Cultures:

Aztec (preferred)

General Subject:

utilitarian objects (preferred,isness)

animals

religion and mythology

Specific Subjects:

	king vulture [300404853]
	.....(Agents Facet, Living Organisms (hierarchy name), living organisms (entities), Eukaryota (domain), Animalia (kingdom), Chordata (phylum), Vertebrata (subphylum), Aves (class), Falconiformes (order), Cathartidae (family), Sarcoramphus (genus)) (AAT)

	vulture (general) [300310582]
	.....(Agents Facet, Living Organisms (hierarchy name), living organisms (entities), Eukaryota (domain), Animalia (kingdom), Chordata (phylum), Vertebrata (subphylum), Aves (class)) (AAT)

List/Hierarchical Position:

..... Movable Works

.......... Movable Works by class: decorative and utilitarian works

Sources and Contributors:
Vulture Vessel	........ [VP]
	........ Metropolitan Museum of Art [online] (2001-)

Subject: ....... [VP]

Note:
English	..... [VP]
	..... Metropolitan Museum of Art [online] (2001-)