秃鹫船 - 美国大都会艺术博物馆展品查阅

品名（中）	秃鹫船
品名（英）	Vulture Vessel
入馆年号	1981年，1981.297
策展部门	迈克尔·洛克菲勒之翼（The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing）
创作者
创作年份	公元 1200 - 公元 1521
创作地区	墨西哥（Mexico）
分类	陶瓷容器（Ceramics-Containers）
尺寸	H 8 3/8 × 宽 8 1/4 × 深 9 1/8 英寸 (21.3 × 21 × 23.2 厘米)
介绍（中）	在前哥伦布时代，墨西哥许多地区都大量制作了动物雕像形式的陶瓷器皿。通常在仪式中使用，被选择用于描绘的动物是那些在神话中扮演角色的动物。它们是基于栖息地和自然特征的文化和宇宙隐喻鸟类通常象征着天界，与太阳、月亮和金星联系在一起；他们也被认为是活人世界和超自然世界之间的使者。这只漂亮的三脚架船上描绘的鸟，由鸟的腿和尾巴支撑，可能代表了一只秃鹫（Sarcoramphus papa），因为它的喙底部有一个特征性的肉质突起（现在已消失）。虽然秃鹫主要以腐肉为食，但它们偶尔也会杀人为食；因此，它们与古代墨西哥思想中的人类牺牲有关。这只鸟的描绘包括三个重要的人类方面：从它突出的"耳朵"凸缘上悬挂着挂饰；它的爪子显示为拇指突出的手；它的头上装饰着一个褶皱纸扇，这种纸扇经常出现在阿兹特克神像的头饰上。船只的轮廓很好地平衡了倾斜翅膀的线条，与腿的角度相呼应，而鸟的隆起的胸部完美地位于其强壮的腿之间。光滑、有光泽的深红色和黑色表面与头部和脚部粗糙、无光泽的纹理形成了令人愉悦的对比。
介绍（英）	Ceramic vessels in the form of animal effigies were made in large numbers in many parts of Mexico throughout the Precolumbian era. Often used in ceremonies, the animals selected for depiction were those that played a role in myth. They served as cultural and cosmic metaphors based on their habitat and natural features. Birds generally symbolized the celestial realm and were associated with the sun, moon, and planet Venus; they were also considered messengers between the world of the living and the supernatural sphere. The bird depicted on this handsome tripod vessel, supported by the bird's legs and tail, probably represents a king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) because of the characteristic fleshy protuberance (now missing) at the base of its beak. Although king vultures feed primarily on carrion, they will occasionally kill for food; they are therefore connected with human sacrifice in ancient Mexican thought. The rendering of the bird includes three significant human aspects: from its projecting "ear" flanges hang pendant ornaments; its talons are shown as hands with prominent thumbs; and its head is adorned with a pleated paper fan often seen on headdresses of Aztec deity figures. The contours of the vessel are well-balanced—the lines of the sloping wings echoing the angles of the legs—and the bulging chest of the bird is perfectly centered between its strong legs. The smooth, shiny dark red and black surface creates a pleasing contrast to the rough, matte texture of the head and feet.