Marble
University of Notre Dame
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Jar with Excised Conch Shells

Date

250-550

Creator

Unrecorded Jalisco artist

Unrecorded Teotihuacano artist

Location

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art

This vessel depicts a classic representation of the conch shell. Underneath the shells are water scrolls. The conch, seen as a naturally occurring horn, came from the sea and was intimately associated with water. Wind gods, such as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, wore a cut conch shell around their necks. The conch was used in ceremonies to call the rain-bringing winds. This vessel reemphasizes the link between the shell and water.

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This vessel depicts a classic representation of the conch shell. Underneath the shells are water scrolls. The conch, seen as a naturally occurring horn, came from the sea and was intimately associated with water. Wind gods, such as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, wore a cut conch shell around their necks. The conch was used in ceremonies to call the rain-bringing winds. This vessel reemphasizes the link between the shell and water.
Open external viewer application
  • This vessel depicts a classic representation of the conch shell. Underneath the shells are water scrolls. The conch, seen as a naturally occurring horn, came from the sea and was intimately associated with water. Wind gods, such as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, wore a cut conch shell around their necks. The conch was used in ceremonies to call the rain-bringing winds. This vessel reemphasizes the link between the shell and water.
  • This vessel depicts a classic representation of the conch shell. Underneath the shells are water scrolls. The conch, seen as a naturally occurring horn, came from the sea and was intimately associated with water. Wind gods, such as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, wore a cut conch shell around their necks. The conch was used in ceremonies to call the rain-bringing winds. This vessel reemphasizes the link between the shell and water.
  • This vessel depicts a classic representation of the conch shell. Underneath the shells are water scrolls. The conch, seen as a naturally occurring horn, came from the sea and was intimately associated with water. Wind gods, such as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, wore a cut conch shell around their necks. The conch was used in ceremonies to call the rain-bringing winds. This vessel reemphasizes the link between the shell and water.
  • This vessel depicts a classic representation of the conch shell. Underneath the shells are water scrolls. The conch, seen as a naturally occurring horn, came from the sea and was intimately associated with water. Wind gods, such as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, wore a cut conch shell around their necks. The conch was used in ceremonies to call the rain-bringing winds. This vessel reemphasizes the link between the shell and water.
Formerly attributed to Unrecorded Jalisco artistUnrecorded Teotihuacano artist
250-550
Vessels
Slipped and excised ceramic
1982.090.012
Raclin Murphy Museum: 205
6 1/8 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (15.56 x 13.34 x 13.97 cm)
Gift of William J. Doran

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at RMMACollections@nd.edu.