Chancay/Huari Standing Female Figure

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chancay culture, ca. 1000-1500 CE. As the Wari aesthetic waned, Chancay artisans residing in the valleys north of Lima created ceramics in the likenesses of humans and animals with their own distinctive style and form. Chancay figural ceramics were usually fabricated with molds and stamps and painted with a limited color scheme of dark brown-black on white; however, this example departs from Chancay mass production and at times less-refined aesthetic. Although it is mold-made, hand-crafted refinement and poignant applied details such as the delicate beaded necklace are evident. Furthermore, the paint finish includes a vibrant red hue in addition to the more customary white and dark brown-black. In addition, the spontaneity of the painting and whimsical improvisation with geometry in the patterns enveloping the figure exudes unique vibrancy and charm that suggests a possible Wari/Huari influence. What's more, the animated facial expression and hand gestures suggest a Wari/Huari influence in this piece as well. The Chancay artisans usually made human figures in male-female pairs. This example represents a female possibly donning a simian mask. The function of such sculptures in the ancient Americas is yet to be revealed. Scholars suggest that these figures may have been placed in tombs as companions or guardians of the deceased in the afterworld; indeed the painted "ax's on the figure's chest are star-like and may indicate the celestial realm. Adding to the value of this piece is its provenance. Arthur M. Sackler was a scholar of the arts as well as an entrepreneur and philanthropist who endowed galleries at countless museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Chances are you have been a patron of a museum named for this man: Museum at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the Arthur M Sackler Wing at the Royal Academy in London, or perhaps the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archeology at Peking University in Beijing. Any work that this astute connoisseur of art collected is of the utmost importance. 

7"T x 3 3/4"W x 2 1/4"D 

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Pre Colombian Very Tall Chancay Pottery Standing Female China, Ca 1200-1450 CE, 1039. Description: Pre Colombian Very Tall Chancay Pottery Standing Female China, Peru, ca. 1200 to 1450 CE. This is a very large, hollow made pottery figure in the classic Chancay style, showing a standing figure with wide eyes, small nose and mouth, and facial decorations that are representative of either scarification or tattooing - or possibly a beard, although a slit on the body seems to suggest the figure is female. It wears a headband and has dark hair. Its short arms are thrown out to the side and feet are broad and have delineated toes. Piercings along the top of the headband may have had rings, feathers, or other decoration in them at some point. Chancay ceramics have been found mainly in the cemeteries of the Ancon and Chancay valleys; this pottery seems to have been produced on a large scale using molds. Their pottery would start with a rough matte surface that would be painted later in contrasting cream, brown, and black. Egg-shaped figures like this one, with geometric decoration around the face and head, are some of the most common figures found. Comes with custom stand. Dimensions: 8.6" W x 16.2" H (21.8 cm x 41.1 cm) 

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Inca Bronze 'Capacocha' Figure

Peru 1200 AD - 1400 AD 

A small Inca bronze-copper figure from the Central Peruvian Highlands. It depicts a standing female with hands clasped to her waist. The face, hands, feet, hair, etc are all finely detailed and meticulously executed. These miniature figurines, made in bronze and sometimes other precious metals, were used in the ritual of 'capacocha'. Given as offerings to accompany child sacrifices upon the death of an Inca King. Select children were ceremoniously honored and given these figural offerings before being sacrificed to the mountain gods. In excellent condition. Shows a rich darkened patina and light deposits in the crevices. An exceptional example. Custom display stand is included. 

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Whistling Female Figure

Tiahuanaco People /  Andes

100 B.C. - 900 A.C.

(Bolivia, Peru, Titicaca Lake) 

Terracotta

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Nasca Feminine Figurine

1-800 AD

Peru

Female Statuette

Pre-Inca civilization

Peru

circa 9th century b.C. 

Curayacu culture

(Photo By DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini/Getty Images)Credit: DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI / contributor

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Pair of Ceramic Figures

12th–14th century

Peru; Chancay

Ceramic

H. 7 in. (18 cm)

After the influence of Wari waned, several ceramic styles evolved on the Pacific coast that emphasized mass production and the fabricating use of molds and stamps. In the valleys north of Lima, the Chancay people produced ceramics that are very distinctive in form and decoration. Painted predominantly in dark brown-black on white, the ceramics appear sloppy by comparison with many earlier and contemporary styles. However, the spontaneity of the decoration, the restrained color scheme, and the often bold painting lend the Chancay wares considerable charm. In addition to vessels, Chancay potters produced ceramic sculptures of humans and animals. Human figures, often made in explicitly male-female pairs, originally must have worn clothing. These two could have been made in the same basic mold with specific anatomical and decorative details added by hand. Both figures wear the same round ear ornaments—those of the female are bigger—but different headdresses. The corner-pointed hat worn by the male figure implies Wari influence since such hats were typical of Wari costume.

The function of the sculptures in ancient times is not known. Perhaps they were placed in tombs as companions or guardians of the dead.

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Hollow Female Figure

Peru, Chancay

Circa: 1000 - 600 BC

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Standing Female Figure

Chimú (Artist)

1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)

Wood

H: 11 1/2 x W: 4 3/8 x D: 2 in. (29.2 x 11.1 x 5.1 cm)

Origin: Peru

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Golden Inca Figure – Venus of Frías

200–600 AD

Gold and platinum

15.3 x 8.7 cm

This unique sculpture was found near Piura in the Frías Valley. Like other objects found in the same area, the figure displays stylistic links to the Vicús and also the Moche, as well as Ecuadorian and Colombian cultures. She is completely hollow, constructed from sheet gold with soldered seams at the joints. Unusually, her eyes are inlaid platinum. Although naked, the figure may have been dressed in cloth garments before being placed in the tomb, a common practice in the Andes.

Instituto Nacional de Cultura, Piura

© Photograph Daniel Giannoni

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Moche Standing Figure — Peru 

400 AD - 700 AD 

Moche female pottery figure in red terracotta with cream details. Standing with hands held to the chest as is common. She wears a full-length dress with a broad decorative collar and adorned with ear ornaments and bracelets. 

Approx. 7" tall X 4" wide

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Female Effigy Figurine

Peru

200 BC-AD 500 (Early Intermediate)

Medium: Sperm whale tooth, shell, hair

H: 3 x W: 1 1/16 x D: 15/16 in. 

(7.62 x 2.7 x 2.38 cm)

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Nazca Female Ceramic Effigy Figure

Measuring 10 inches in height, posed in a seated position, beautifully detailed female with tatoos, painted eyes and hair on cream slip. Left leg reattached and restored, else in excellent condition. Nazca, South coast Peru, ca.

200-700AD.

Collection provenance available.

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