NEEDLECASES AND FIGURINES. 



151 



•4-i2 is of the lost color group, but has lost uearly all traces of the 

 decorative design. 



A fine example, with high polish and elaborate decoration, is pre- 

 sented in Fig. 22.3. The lid is raised to show the position of tlie \wv- 

 forations. Two interesting examples belonging to tlie dark incised 



e i Eeometric 

 oloi gioup of 



ware are shown in Figs. 224 and 225. The deeply incised design of 

 the first is purely geometric, but is probably of grajjhic parentage, 

 while that of the second, rather rudely scratched through the dark 

 surface into the gray paste, is apparently a less highly conventional- 

 ized treatment of the same motive. 



FIGURINES 



I have already called attention to the fact that there is no such thing 

 in Chiriquian ceramic art as a well modeled human figure and appar- 

 ently no indication of an attempt to render the human physiognomy 

 with accuracy. It is higlily iirobablt' that the prrsoiia^cs embodied 

 in the mythology of thepcnpl,. t.n.k the Iniinscjf animals nr were an- 

 thropomorpliic and gave rise tu the peculiar cunceptiijiis embodied in 

 their arts. The strange objects herewith presented are rendered in 

 a measure intelligible by the adoption of this hypothesis. These 

 figurines are cnnrnnMl t., the alligator -r.uip uf ware and are quite 

 numerous. They aiv small, raivfnlly liiiishcil. and [.aintcd with care 

 in red and black liiifs and ligmvs. Tln^y aiv semihuman and appear 

 to be arrayed in costume. The head of each is triangular in shape, 

 having a sharp, projecting profile, with the moiith set back beneath 

 the chin, reminding one of the face of a squirrel or some such rodent. 



