Ceramic | Terracotta | Fired Clay 

Caption

Import restricted since 1995.

Section 3e of Designated List in force since 1995.

Incised or Excised Vessels
Here are considered different varieties of ceramic vessels whose salient visual trait is decoration based on incision or excision.

Pinos: Pinos vessels have a smooth streaky black to brown slip with (postslip) incisions on the exterior forming geometric designs. These incisions are sometimes filled with red or white pigment. Forms include a variety of bowl forms. Defined as part of the Chul and Caynac Ceramic Complexes of the Late Preclassic Period (Sharer 1978; Demarest 1986).

Lolotique: A variety of bowl forms of a dark and dull red color with fine postslip incised geometric patterns. Defined as part of the Chul and Caynac Ceramic Complexes of the Late Preclassic Period (Sharer 1978; Demarest 1986).

Chalate Carved: Cylindrical vessels with a band of false glyphs or geometric designs carved below the rim. Details within this excavated band may be emphasized with incision. Vessel bodies are usually tan colored, and cream slip was sometimes added over the exterior, avoiding the carved band which sometimes was painted with red slip. When the cream slip is present, negative designs of dots, circles, water lilies, or egrets may be barely visible on the vessel body. The name of this Late Classic type is provisional and was proposed by Boggs based on its abundance in the Chalatenango area.

Red Excised: Cylindrical vessels with a band of false glyphs or geometric decoration excised below the rim and vertical excised grooves usually covering the rest of the exterior, sometimes with two opposing excised panels representing animal heads or other designs. Slipped with a dark redorange color. Short solid tabular or nubbin supports may be present. Provisional name for a Late Classic type common in central El Salvador.

Cotzumalhuapa Incised Cylindrical Vases: Cylindrical vases, orange to brown in color, with fine incision including geometric motifs and monkeys. The rim area is distinguished by a band or groove. Late Classic period.

Example shown: Maya carved cylindar vase, Late Classic period.

For import restrictions in force from 1987, see History of Import Restrictions below.