Join Chief Curator Matthew Robb as he explores one of the Fowler’s most intriguing ancient Mexican objects: a small ceramic vessel in the form of an acrobat balancing a ball on his feet. The use of gold leaf and finely painted imagery suggests that this object required great skill to make and may have been used in a courtly feast. Learn how to recognize the distinct features of the Nahua-Mixteca style, and how artists used it to record epic histories and ritual practices in a variety of objects, from screen-fold books, to precious metals, to ceramics like this acrobat figure.

The Fowler’s Lunch & Learn series offers easily digestible explorations of charismatic objects from around the world in our permanent collection. Join us to chew on some sustenance and feed your mind during your lunch break.