Artwork Page for Spoon with Human Figure

Details / Information for Spoon with Human Figure

Spoon with Human Figure

c. 500–200 BCE

Peru, North Highlands, Chavín de Huantar(?), Chavín style

Medium
hammered and cut gold
Measurements
Overall: 2.6 cm (1 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tishman 1958.177
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
232 Andean
ArtLens App
Print

Description

There seems to be a link between Chavín religion and appearance of the Andes’ first large precious-metal objects, made using revolutionary new metallurgical processes. Chavín may have developed these technical innovations to express the inexpressible, the "wholly other" nature of its religion. In many areas, elite men and women wore the ornaments as emblems of their ties to this religion, and eventually were buried with them. These 16 objects, along with three others not in the museum’s collection, are said to have come as a group from Chavín itself.
A gold utensil is shaped like a long, tapered scoop topped with a standing human figure on a rectangular base. The figure has its hands clasped over its chest and wears a headband and hip wrap. Its face features wide-set eyes and a slit mouth. The scoop's interior shows a dimpled, hammered texture. The entire piece is crafted from uniform, warm gold with simplified, rounded forms and minimal fine detail.

Spoon with Human Figure

c. 500–200 BCE

Peru, North Highlands, Chavín de Huantar(?), Chavín style

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork