Apr 24, 2015
Apr 24, 2015
Apr 24, 2015

Beaker with Frontal Figures

Beaker with Frontal Figures

900–1100

Gold, hammered

Overall: 12.5 x 9.1 cm (4 15/16 x 3 9/16 in.)

Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2015.7

Location

Did you know?

Gold beakers like this one were indicators of high status.

Description

This beaker was created by an artist of the Lambayeque culture of Peru's north coast. It features a figure with comma-shaped eyes holding staffs, symbols of authority. If such beakers were used in life—that is, not created exclusively for the lavish tombs in which they have been found in quantities—they may have figured in feasting events that were central to late pre-Hispanic political, social, and religious life.

See also
Collection: 
AA - Andes
Department: 
Art of the Americas
Type of artwork: 
Metalwork

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 email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

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

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.