148 



ANCIENT AKT OF THK PK(»VI> 



•HIKlyl 1. 



rated from those of the l)ase by a belt of horizontal flutings, and a 

 wide smooth space extends from the toi) to the base, the lower sec- 

 tion of which is occupied by a row of button-like, indented knobs. 

 The use of this utensil may not have been peciiliar, but its shape is 

 wholly unique. It resembles most nearly the ware of the maroon 

 group. Its height is twelve inches. 



Perhaps the most interesting of these unclassified vases is a some- 

 what fragmentary piece, of which an outline is. given in Fig. ^n;. 

 The ware closely resembles that of the alligator group in color of tJie 



paste and 



Fig. 216. Vase of unique form and decoration — 4. 



lip. but the base has been supplied with an annular stand. 

 11 tliat grniip, and the colors of the design, 



not ol>st 



n>ti 



are unlike those used in Chiriquian 



^ I Li-Ma^iaa'feMo^bMfl ■^;lj^^'^5i E^ 



Fig. 217. Painted design of vase in Fig. 216 in black, red, and gray. 



It will be seen by reference to Fig. 217 that the painted figures arc 

 jiartially pictorial, the conventional scenes including the sun, the 

 mo(m. and stars. The more conventional parts of the design are very 

 curious and without doubt are symbolic. The border of fret work 

 is Mexican in style. The sini. which is only partially exposed above 

 the horizon, is outlined in i-ed and is sui'rounded by red rays. The 



