Peru, Chimú Culture (1000 - 1470 AD), Large anthropomorphic vase in glazed ceramic

Peru, Chimú Culture (1000 - 1470 AD), Large anthropomorphic vase in glazed ceramic

Peru
Chimú culture (1000 - 1470 AD)
Glazed ceramic
27 x 16 cm
Surface wear / Restorations on the body
Former private collection

The piece has a slightly convex base, so a pedestal should be considered.

Important anthropomorphic vase in black glazed ceramic representing a dignitary. The neck is modeled with a face that fits into a rectangle, characterized by coffee bean eyes framing an aquiline nose, the latter overhanging a small mouth, oversized ears and a neck adorned with a collar, the atrophied arms, bent, taking position on the upper part of the body. The latter is punctuated with horizontal and vertical lines forming a series of small squares in which small lenticular motifs appear. The lower part of the body is left smooth.

The Chimú culture developed on the Pacific coast of Peru, succeeding the brilliant Mochica civilization and had as its capital Chanchàn (near the present-day city of Trujillo), a large city built in adobe and one of the most important urban centers of Mesoamerica. The capital fell under the rule of the Inca emperor Tupac Inca Yupanqui around the year 1470, 50 years before the arrival of the conquistadors in the region.
The Chimú cosmogony included several deities, but the main cult was given to the Moon (contrary to the Incas who venerated the Sun). The Chimú ceramics are nourished by the Mochica and Lambayeque cultures and are characterized by productions mostly of black colors with the use of molds for the containers of domestic use, but also for the ceremonial objects and other vases for offerings.

Ref: 4H9QQEQ3OG