Artifact
Portrait-Head Vessel
Description
- Mould-made blackware water storage vessel.
- Body of the vessel is shaped like a warrior's head, with a helmet.
- Spout is emerging from the top of the head.
- This type of earthenware vessel is given the name of "Huaco" in Peru.
History of Use
- This type of pottery (Huaco) is usually linked to ceremonial, religious, or artistic uses rather than utilitarian due to their high provenience in burials and temples.
- Native peoples of Colombia raided the tombs at Chan Chan where they found the huacas to sell to tourists.
Background Information
- Purchased by John Braybrook in Peru, South America, at the ruins of the ancient city of Chan Chan. The huacas were taken from a large burial ground which yielded pottery, textile fabrics, weapons, and other objects of art.
- Chan Chan was the capital city of the coastal Chimu Kingdom, which developed from AD 1000 until AD 1476 at which time they were overcome by the Inca Empire.
- Mould-made, blackware ceramics are typical of the Chimu culture.
Latitude: 8° 6' 38.002" S
Longitude: 79° 4' 30" W
Date
Pre-Columbian (AD 900-1492)
Dimensions
inches
Length:
3.5
Width:
3.0
Height:
7.5
Events, Places, People
- John T. Braybrook
- Chan Chan, Peru
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