142 



A STUDY OF CHIRIQUIAN ANTIQUITIES. 



is a round perforation communicating with the interior of the hollow leg. Atten- 

 tion is called to the painted, tongue-shaped breast ornament, reaching down well 

 over the abdominal protuberance. A similar ornament is noted elsewhere in this 

 group (see fig. 244). 



The long panels on either side are ornamented 

 with a superb example of the two-headed al- 

 ligator. The dermal markings on one head and 

 neck being the same as a decorative motive 

 on the crown of each female head (fig. 242). 

 The neck of the vessel, resembling in shape 

 an inverted bell, is surrounded by four panels, 

 each filled with an excellent figure of the al- 

 ligator, one of which is reproduced in figure 243. 

 The execution of the painted designs is equal 

 to the skill displayed in the modeling. 



The rare specimen reproduced in figure 244 

 is a fantastic combination of feline, serpentine 

 and human characters, and serves as a rattle 

 or a receptacle at will. It is complete barring 

 a small chip off one heel, revealing the nature 

 and color of the paste, which is red throughout, 

 the hue deepening from the surface inward. 

 The slip is the usual pale yellow. 



The body, legs and arms are human, excepting 

 the hands, which are converted into serpent heads 

 by means of a terminal slit for the mouth and 

 black spots for eyes. The feet are nondescript, 

 the prolongation of the heels being equal to that 

 of the. toes. The same type of foot is used 

 for birds, which makes possible the erect posture 

 for biped figurines. For that reason this par- 

 ticular specimen was catalogued by de Zeltner 

 as figure debout simply. But it is in more stable 

 equilibrium when lying on its back, in which 

 position the greatly distended stomach and chest, 

 in the shape of a hollow, truncated cone, serves 

 as a vessel. 



The head is apparently that of the jaguar, 

 Felis onca; or perhaps the ocelot (Mex. ocelotlj, 

 Felis pardalis. The mouth is open, the lips 



Fig. 242. 



Fig- 243' 



Fig. 242. Elaborate vase supported by human 

 figures ; end view (see Plate XLII, fig. c). 

 Alligator ware. '/> 



Fig. 243. One of the alligator figures dec- 

 orating the neck of the preceding vase. */> 



being drawn back to reveal the teeth. The 

 upper and lower rows are separated by hori- 

 zontal openings in the region of the molars and of the incisors. The overlapping 

 of the long canines is admirably indicated by two teeth on either side that reach 

 from the upper to the lower alveoles. Perforations representing the nostrils and 

 the external auditory openings also communicate with the hollow interior of the 



