Estela Dagua (also known as Jacinta Esthela Dagua Malaber, Canelos Quichua, 1951–?)
Puyo, Pastaza Province, Ecuador
Jaguar Head
INV-2563
Estela Dagua (also known as Jacinta Esthela Dagua Malaber, Canelos Quichua, 1951–?)
Puyo, Pastaza Province, Ecuador1989
canelos quichuaArts of the Americassouth american
Date
1989
Medium
Ceramic, pigment, and shinquillu lacquer, possibly from the Brazilian Elemi (Protium heptophyllum)
Dimensions
19.1 × 19.1 × 15.2 cm (7 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 6 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Arnold H. Crane Endowment Fund
In this sculpture, Estela Dagua reinterpreted the form of a jaguar head kero—a kind of Inca drinking cup—like the one next to it. Such keros were created centuries earlier by Inca artists after the Spanish invasion of their empire. Although Canelos Quichua communities speak Quechua, an Inca language, exactly how Dagua became familiar with these older Inca objects is unknown. Her works include both traditional Amazonian ceramic forms and works that draw on contemporary inspirations—like the movie Godzilla.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Drinking Bowl (Mucawa) with Cross and Anaconda Motifs
Artist unknown (Canelos Quichua, active 20th century) Pacayacu, Pastaza Province, Ecuador
Storage Vessel with "Bent" (Quingashca) Turtle and Tortoise Motifs
Alegría Canelos (Canelos Quichua, active 20th century) Puyo, Pastaza Province, Ecuador
Storage Vessel with "Bent" (Quingashca) Turtle Motifs
Olimpia Canelos (Canelos Quichua, active 20th century) Pastaza Province, Ecuador
