Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Cultures > Center > Bato

Arte

The most characteristic feature of Bato ceramics is its decoration, which includes linear incisions framing dotted areas and relief painting, as well as nipple-shaped appliqués. Some vessels imitate the shape of gourds. Ceramic pipes were common, generally taking the shape of an inverted T. The tembetá (an adornment worn in the lower lip) was a fairly common item, and the most frequent type had the shape of a winged disk and was made of ceramic or stone. The same materials were used to make ear disks.