Wood-Carved Pot with Snake (Back)

Wooden jars usually functioned like ceramic pots, and were believed to possess extraordinary power in the traditional cultures of Taiwan's indigenous tribes. Therefore, besides containing wine or keeping seeds, wooden jars were also used in certain religious rituals. The Paiwan tribe’s wooden jars are mostly made from rigid logs which were hollowed out and carved with decorations. The motifs carved on mainly depict snakes, human heads, boar and deer. This jar is carved with a snake motif, which is the animal totem of the Paiwan tribe.