The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Head Beaker

Head Beaker

900–1100
(Peru), Lambayeque (Sicán)
gold, hammered
Overall: 23.5 x 19.8 cm (9 1/4 x 7 13/16 in.)
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2015.6
Location: 232 Andean

Did You Know?

This drinking vessel holds close to 62 oz of fluid—almost half a gallon!

Description

Metalworking flourished among the Lambayeque people of Peru’s north coast. Artists made large objects, including containers, in unprecedented numbers; one Lambayeque tomb contained nearly 200 gold or silver beakers. The head on this beaker has been interpreted as the visage of either the culture’s principal deity—its divinity signaled by its feline-like fangs—or the deified founder of the Lambayeque ruling dynasty. It is not known why the head is upright only when the beaker rests on its rim.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art. Museum Masters: 2016-17 Companion Guide. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2016. Mentioned and Reproduced: P. 83
    Lemonedes, Heather. "Acquisition Highlights.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine vol. 58, no. 2 (March/April 2018): 6-7. Reproduced and Mentioned: P. 7.
  • Recent Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 17-June 7, 2018).
    The Cleveland Museum of Art (03/17/2018-06/06/2018): "Recent Acquisitions 2014-2017"
  • {{cite web|title=Head Beaker|url=false|author=|year=900–1100|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2015.6