Beaker of the Nazca culture
Price: on request
Sold
Object number
AR3405A
| Object: |
Painted beaker of the Nazca culture
|
| Material: |
Pottery with polychrome paintings in light brown, red-brown, black and white.
|
| Period: |
Middle Nazca, C. 450 to 600 AD. |
| Description: |
The tall and slender beaker is slightly tailored and closes at the bottom with a convex base. The overall impression is dominated by the colourful painting. The entire outside is primed white and has a multicoloured depiction of abstract patterns and highly abstracted animals and faces. The vessel is a fine example of the art of the pre-Columbian Nazca culture.
|
| Background: |
The Peruvian Nazca culture develoepd since 200 BC from the oases of the river valleys of the Río Gránde. It must not be thought of as a centralized state but rather as loosely associated settlements. The settlers coped with the extremely dry climate of the region by constructing and operating subterranean irrigation channels. The resulting flourishing agriculture allowed a versatile but singular culture to develop. Most famed today are the Nazca Lines. Large abstract figures drawn in the desert floor. They are so huge they can only be seen from high altitudes as a whole. Nazca pottery is characterized by fine clay and thin walls that are decorated with scenes in bright colours. |
| Dimensions: |
21.2cm height, 10.0cm diameter.
|
| Condition: |
Professionally restored from several large sherds, with two small modernly remodelled sherds added to the base. Two chips on the outside. Overall, a very beautiful vessel of impressive size and with the painting wonderfully preserved in large parts.
|
| Provenance: |
Acquired in 2022 on the German art market. Previously in the German private collection H. S. Since the 1970ies or earlier in Germany.
|
| Literature: |
A. Kroeber, The Archaeology and Pottery of Nazca.
|
| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
|