THE CHOCOLATE INCISED GROUP. 



95 



metrical perforations. A pattern composed of groups of parallel lines meeting, at 

 an angle and forming a cross completely covers the interior. This specimen, 

 which comes from El Banco, is slightly discolored by use. Some of the more 

 simple forms consist of globular bodies with neck and rim ; the handles, feet and 

 other plastic accessories being absent. Figure 160 is an example. 



THE CHOCOLATE INCISED GROUP. 



This is a small group numbering only eight specimens, all tripods. It is not 

 mentioned by Holmes. Reference to the illustrations gives one a good idea as 

 to the homogeneity of the group. The walls are comparatively thin and carefully 

 formed, both as to exterior and 

 interior. The paste and firing are 

 of such a character as to make 

 the vessels practically impervious 

 to water. The chocolate colored 

 coating applied uniformly over the 

 entire outer surface and the visible 

 portion of the aperture is probably 

 in the nature of a slip. The paste 

 is somewhat lighter in color than 

 the slip. 



Another characteristic feature is 

 the incised ornament completely 

 encircling the shoulder on each 

 tripod. The incisions were made 

 after the application of the color- 

 ing matter and probably after the 

 firing, the instrument used evidently 

 being either of stone or metal. 

 The incisions are narrow and 



shallow in some cases and broad and deep in others. The patterns usually consist 

 of three quadrangular fields filled in wholly or partially by cross lines, with groups 

 of parallel vertical lines at both ends of each field (fig. 161). The panels are some- 

 what lengthened in figure 162 and not accompanied by the groups of parallel 

 vertical lines, while in figure 163 a single unbroken pattern completes the circuit. 

 The latter is one of the smallest tripods in the entire collection, its height being 

 less than four centimeters. 



The tripod supports are generally solid, short, straight, pointed pegs. In 

 figure 161, they are slightly curved, hollow and provided with pellets, but not 

 slit. Figure 162 differs from the others in several respects. The body represented 

 is a shallow open-mouthed bowl. The relatively large legs are incised, hollow, 

 perforated, supplied with pellets and so fashioned as to resemble an animal 

 head. 



The chocolate incised group resembles a certain class of Costa Rican pottery 

 from Tres Rios. Figures 161 and 162 illustrate ware from a locality twenty-five 



Fig. 161. Tripod vase with incised shoulder and short hollow 

 supports supplied with pellets but not slit ; from Divala. 

 Chocolate incised ware. Vi 



