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Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Jaguar Effigy Incense Burner
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Costa Rica, Diquis region
Frog Pendant
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Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya region
Crocodile Effigy Vessel
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Costa Rican, Diquis region, Chiriqui culture
Figural Pendant
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Costa Rican, Guanacaste or Diquis Region
Peccary Effigy Jar
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Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Ax God
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Focus Works of Art
Jaguar Effigy Incense Burner
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Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
(Ancient American)
Jaguar Effigy Incense Burner,
about 300-1000 |
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This ceramic object was used as an incense burner. The ancient Americans used incense in religious ceremonies. A person could open the burner by lifting off the top. Burning coals were placed in the bottom of the burner, with incense - often in the form of sweet-smelling tree sap - on top. The artist showed the jaguars' spots as cutouts in the clay to let the smoke from the burning incense escape. The two snarling jaguars are intended to appear fierce and powerful. The big cats' teeth are shown to make this point. During rituals, spiritual leaders called shamans associated themselves with the power of animals such as the jaguar, the animal king of the forest.
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Below are suggestions for using the Focus Work of Art with students in the classroom. The activity and discussion ideas are listed in order of difficulty. The activity instructions and italicized discussion questions may be presented directly to students. The icons below each suggestion note the related subject area(s). Click on each icon to determine which subject area it represents. Browse the thematic Lesson Plans for more ideas on how to use this work of art and theme in the classroom. |
- Jaguar Facts
In table form, create a description of the jaguar that includes information about its habitat, behavior, diet and characteristics that distinguish it from other big cats.
- Write a Story
List the characteristics of a jaguar that might be attractive in humans. Write a story about a person who possesses these qualities.
- Incense Burners Then and Now
Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the technology and design of this incense burner with one from another culture made during the same time period, such as this example. Compare the burner to one made today. How do they differ? How has technology made the burner better?
- Burner Designs
Create or design an incense burner out of a material of your choice that can withstand high temperatures and provide proper ventilation for the incense to burn.
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