Artwork Page for Bowl with Trophy Heads

Details / Information for Bowl with Trophy Heads

Bowl with Trophy Heads

c. 100–650 CE

Peru, Nasca, Early Intermediate Period

Medium
ceramic, slip
Measurements
Overall: 10.2 x 10.2 cm (4 x 4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Barry Bradley 2009.435
Public Domain
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Location
232 Andean
Print
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Did You Know?

Two important themes in Nasca art are war and fertility.

Description

Nasca is one of the two major cultures and ceramic styles of its periods, and one of the finest ceramic styles ever produced in the South American Andes. Vessel walls are thin, firing temperatures higher than in earlier times, and a variety of warm, earthen-toned slips come into use. This small bowl features repetitions of human trophy heads—a major Nasca motif that refers both to war and fertility.
A reddish-brown ceramic vessel flares at the rim and narrows at the waist, featuring a rounded base and three horizontal decorative bands in tan, gray, and dark brown. The upper and lower registers contain repeating cream semicircles with black pointed tips. Centrally, a stylized gray face with white eyes anchors horizontal, pointed bars in red and tan. Thick black outlines define these geometric patterns across the vessel's exterior.

Bowl with Trophy Heads

c. 100–650 CE

Peru, Nasca, Early Intermediate Period

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