Artwork Page for Beaker with Shells

Details / Information for Beaker with Shells

Beaker with Shells

900–1100

Central Andes (Peru), Lambayeque (Sicán) people, 10th century-12th century

Medium
gold, hammered
Measurements
Overall: 14.6 x 10.2 cm (5 3/4 x 4 in.)
Credit Line
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2015.8
Public Domain
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Location
232 Andean
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Did You Know?

Highly valued as a luxury material, spondylus shells served as symbols of power and prestige.

Description

This beaker was created by an artist of the Lambayeque culture of Peru's north coast. Shells appear in the upper register representing spondylus, the red-orange thorny oyster greatly valued by pre-Hispanic Andean societies. 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.
A cylindrical, hammered gold beaker flares at the rim. Around the upper body, fan-shaped shells project in relief. Below, a horizontal band contains repeating curved patterns and circles, followed by a middle section of vertical, pointed columns. Near the base, a final band displays stylized animal heads in profile. The vessel's warm yellow surface is covered in small indentations throughout.

Beaker with Shells

900–1100

Central Andes (Peru), Lambayeque (Sicán) people, 10th century-12th century

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