356 



COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION AT MADRID, 



intercourse would bring in other forms. In countries with a settled 

 civilization, like Mexico, for instance, we might expect to meet with 

 division of labor, and perhaps the site of an ancient pottery could be 

 discovered. 



The same procedure as to surface finish of pottery obtained in 

 Colombia as in other localities. Polishing before baking, smothering 

 __ some objects in order to get a black surface, and 



the smooth ware as it came from the hand of 

 the potter are all observed in Colombia. The 

 tool marks are sometimes seen, but usually are 

 obscured by subsequent decoration, but in the 

 ordinary Quimbaya ware the surface has been 

 very roughly dressed down. No polishing stones 

 were shown. 



The buff slip so common in American pot 

 tery, both modern and ancient, is found in 

 Colombia. In this respect some of the Chiriqui 

 pottery resembles that of Nicaragua. The light 

 buff color of the Chiriqui and other ware often 

 did away with the necessity of employing a 

 wash of pipe-clay slip as a ground for decora 

 tion. In a very few cases the slip was red. 



As a rule the ornamentation of Colombian 

 pottery, like that of Ecuador, is in straight 

 lines, entirely conventional, whether the ware is incised or painted. 



A common method of ornamentation was by scratching the paste 

 with a sharp instrument, these objects being unpaiuted. Sometimes 

 short rows of dots form a network design. 

 The Polynesian pattern, which is a network 

 of equilateral triangles, either stamped or 

 incised, is common, and, as far as can be ascer 

 tained, is peculiar to Colombia. 



Strings, bosses, or bits of clay were applied 

 sometimes in an elaborate manner. 



Eaised lines of slip is a rare form of ornamen 

 tation here. The human face and body, frogs, 

 birds, and other animals, enter with great pro 

 fusion into the ornamentation of Colombian 

 pottery, usually in relief. Triangular open 

 ings are cut out in the feet of some vessels 

 or punched through. Barely the walls of 



vessels were pressed out into low bosses, and the impress of geometric 

 stamps is not noticed, however, on the Quimbaya or Chiriqui wares. 

 Many very well cut stamps are found; niost of those shown resembled 

 the Assyrian cylindrical seals, though commonly larger. Others 



Figs. 39 and 40. 



JAR AND CONICAL BASE AND 

 KEST FOR SAME. 



Chibchas, Colombia. 



VASE WITH FOOT. 



