South America, Peru, South Coast, Nazca

1966.26.jpg

Description

Flaring Goblet
450-550 C.E.
Ceramic with polychrome decor
4 x 5 1/4 dia. in.
Nasca flaring goblet with bloody mouth killer whale and rodents.At the time this vessel was made a severe drought was wreaking havoc on the Nasca. Fearful for the survival of their crops the Nasca depicted bloody mouth killer whale, a mythological creature who protected the fields and helped ensure agricultural fertility. Running along the bottom of the vessel are mice. These rodents were both a blessing and a curse as their presence indicated a good harvest. Too many of them, however, could destroy the crops but the Nasca also used the bloody mouth killer whale deity to help control their population.

Date

450-550 C.E.

Creator

South America, Peru, South Coast, Nazca

Source

Gift of Dr. Stephen S. Goodspeed and Mrs. John Goodspeed Ainsworth

Identifier

1966.26

Citation

South America, Peru, South Coast, Nazca, “South America, Peru, South Coast, Nazca,” UCSB ADA Museum Omeka, accessed March 29, 2024, http://art-collections.museum.ucsb.edu/items/show/15819.