Plaque

Plaque

c. 500-200 BC

Peru, North Coast, Chongoyape(?), Chavín style

(1000-200 BC)

Hammered and cut gold

Overall: 21.8 x 10.8 cm (8 9/16 x 4 1/4 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1946.117

Location

232 Andean

Download and Share

Download
Creative Commons CC0
Print
Social share
CMA Artlens icon

Description

These plaques showing a powerful Chavín deity may come from a group of gold objects found in a lavish tomb in the 1920s. One is shaped as the deity’s fanged head, its fur transformed into sixteen serpents that edge the plaque. On the other, the deity’s visually elusive body also appears: the clawed hands over the chest may clutch a horizontal staff, an emblem of authority; across the waist is a belt that sprouts serpents; and beneath are the legs and feet, which stand atop fanged masks.

Related content
See also
Collection: 
AA - Andes
Department: 
Art of the Americas
Type of artwork: 
Metalwork
Medium: 
Hammered and cut gold
Credit line: 
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance information, is based on historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on objects is an ongoing process, but the information about this object may not reflect the most current information available to CMA. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

Is something not working on this page? Please email help.website@clevelandart.org.

Request a digital file from Image Services that is not available through CC0, a detail image, or any image with a color bar. If you have questions about requesting an image, please email imageservices@clevelandart.org.