HM 5103

HM 5103:Four Bees and a Flower
AD 1000-1250, Mexico

Description: Appraisal96 Black on white bowl. Four bees taking nectar from a central flower. Geometric border. Hole, center bottom – flower partially missing. Donated in 1982 by William P. Palmer III. From the Mimbres culture, the bowls were often found in burials. Certain bowls were used as mortuary vessels. These were placed over the head in burials. Their bases were ceremonially “killed” to allow the spirit of the bowl to accompany the deceased’s spirit into the future world.