Chimú Ceramic Figural Vessel

Large ears, a headband, and both hands clasping something carefully to the chest.

This figural vessel is Chimú, from Chimor, now northern Peru, and dates to 900 to 1470 CE. It is pottery and blackware. Chimú potters often made vessels in human form, shaped in molds and fired black in a reducing kiln. Here a seated figure with a broad, barrel-like body holds a textured oval object against the chest. The face has narrow eyes, a straight nose and lines that run down the cheeks, beneath a banded headdress, with round ear spools at either side. Legs fold beneath. It is 5 inches wide, 4.75 deep and 9 high.

Holding on to what matters, for a few centuries now.