On view
Art of the Ancient Americas
Cylindrical stamp,
800–1532
Manteño
Integration Period
2016-1286
Small ceramic objects with engraved designs have been found from Ecuador to Mexico. Whether flat or cylindrical, these objects were likely used as stamps to print designs on ephemeral surfaces, such as paper or textiles, or on the human body. The artist who created the female figure displayed here included geometric designs in relief on the arms. Though the designs may depict jewelry, it is also possible the artist used relief to allude to a stamp that was used to apply the designs to the figure’s body—a stamp such as the one displayed here.
Information
Title
Cylindrical stamp
Dates
800–1532
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
h. 6.2, diam. 3.8 cm. (2 7/16 x 1 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Gillett G. Griffin
Object Number
2016-1286
Place Made
South America, Ecuador, Southern Manabí or Guayas
Materials
Subject
By 2000, Gillett G. Griffin (1928-2016), Princeton, NJ [1]; 2016, bequeathed to the Princeton University Art Museum.
Notes:
[1] Griffin lent the work to the Museum in 2000 (L.2000.69).
