Geometric Designs

Chupícuaro ceramics, especially polychromes, are known for their simple, yet striking and dynamic geometric designs (McBride 38). Some common designs include the black-winged motif (also found in the US Southwest), the fine line and pendant triangle, and the quadrant design of nested triangles found on vessel interiors (33-41). For Chupícuaro spider leg tripods, a typical design is a diamond chain design on the bowl with red banded legs (34). Polychrome vessels and figurines with modeled faces often have shapes surrounding and highlighting the eyes (López 61, 73-75). In addition to these, there are a wide variety of designs composed of lines and simple geometric shapes (64-69, 72-75). While common designs can be useful for identification, the color scheme and vessel form are most often used (López 62-75). Greater analysis of designs may provide insight into Chupícuaro values, iconography, and cosmology, especially through comparison with similar designs of ideological significance in the US Southwest (McBride 41).