The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 22, 2025

Darkware Vessel

900–1470

Peru, North Coast, Chimú style

(900-1470)
black ware
Overall: 20 x 10.3 x 16.6 cm (7 7/8 x 4 1/16 x 6 9/16 in.)
The Norweb Collection 1951.181
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Chimú potters fired their vessels in a reduced-oxygen atmosphere to achieve a uniform black surface.

Description

Under the Chimú, ceramic seems to have been a less important artistic medium than for earlier north coast cultures. Accordingly, ceramics were mass produced with molds and, rather than bearing painted scenes, often have an overall dark surface achieved by firing in a smoky atmosphere.
  • ?-1951
    Emery May Holden Norweb [1895-1984] and Raymond Henry Norweb [1894-1983], Cleveland OH, 1951, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1951
    The Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Jewelry Techniques Past and Present. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 3-April 4, 1956).
  • {{cite web|title=Darkware Vessel|url=false|author=|year=900–1470|access-date=22 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1951.181