The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Cup

c. 900–600 BCE

Peru, North Coast, Cupisnique style

steatite
Overall: 6 x 5.3 cm (2 3/8 x 2 1/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1954.797
Location: Not on view

Description

While Chavín held sway in the highlands, coastal artists produced many objects in non-Chavín styles. Such is the case with these small, finely carved, stone containers, which were part of north coast ritual paraphernalia, though their specific use is unclear. Both bear complex designs based on fanged heads in profile that lack lower jaws.
  • Sr. Eduardo Muelle, Lima, Peru
    Sr. Eduardo Muelle, Lima, Peru
  • Milliken, William. "Two Chavin Vessels." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 42, no. 9 (November 1955): 203-205. Reproduced: p. 203; Mentioned: p. 204 www.jstor.org
  • Treasures of Peruvian Gold. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 23-April 3, 1966).
    Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art; February 23-April 3, 1966. "Treasures of Peruvian Gold."
    Lima, Peru: Museuo National.1940.
  • {{cite web|title=Cup|url=false|author=|year=c. 900–600 BCE|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1954.797