Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chancay, ca. 1000 to 1470 CE. An endearing female figure comprised of slip painted earthenware, mold made from two pieces and hand painted in hues of russet red and chocolate brown on beige. The figure presents characteristic Chancay traits including an enlarged head with boldly delineated features and a wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression, a grand striped headdress with ear-like forms emerging from either side (as opposed to three perforated points on top more typical of the male examples), and her body positioned with the arms held inward and hands over the chest. This piece was probably once accompanied by a matching male figure, as male-female pairs of painted terracotta figurines have been uncovered from Chancay graves challenging the more accepted notion of sole female companionship into the next world. Size: 5.5" W x 9.5" H (14 cm x 24.1 cm)
Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; acquired over twenty years ago
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#123035
Condition
Losses to perimeter of headdress, ear-like protrusions, and other peripheries. Nose probably restored. Expected surface wear with pigment loss commensurate with age but painted imagery is still quite vivid.