Mexico; Central Veracruz, Remojades area
West Mexico, Colima, Nayarit
Gift of Mrs. MacKinley Helm in memory of Dr. MacKinley Helm
Mesoamerica or South America
Arm & Hand (Fragment of Figure)
Caroline Tarbell Tupper Collection of Pre-Columbian Art
Central Mexico, Chupiruaro
Anthropromorphic vessle, maganese oxide, not authentic
Gift of the Children of Barbara Bullard Storke
Animal figure, sitting, pig-like face with long tail winding backwards.
Ceramic animal vessel with spout on top of animal.
Mexico, Guanajuato, Chupicuaro
Ceramic figure of an animal, possibly a dog, with an opening on topside for drinking.
Ceramic animal standing on all fours with pointed tail.
Amulet in the form of a snake with a single hole at one end and two at the other creating a face-like image. 36 on reverse of face.
Stone shaped amulet in the form of a frog; 266 on underside.
Shiny jade amulet of a duckbill combined with a male face. 551 is written on reverse.
Small ceramic female figure grinding corn; 115 underneath.
South America, Peru, Chimu
Gourd shaped vessel with handle
Ceramic gourd shaped vessel freckled with oganic dots and stripes.
Transfer, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Earnest C. Watson
Stirrup vessel: monkey astride a bird
South America, Peru, South Coast
Gift of Dr. Stephen S. Goodspeed and Mrs. John Goodspeed Ainsworth
South America, Argentina
South America, Peru, Colonial Inca
South America, Peru, Central coast
hard material with figures engraved in red & black
Three Small Fragments of Gauze Weave
Two Sections of Border with fringe
section a: 13 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches section b: 14 x 8 1/2 inches
slate-like object, red thread, brown string.
string-24 1/2; solid-3 5/8 x 1 1/2 x 1/4 inches
South America, Peru, Southern Highlands, Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco)
Seated stone holding heads in each hand
Figure is possibly Tiwanaku (or Tiahuanaco) of Southern highlands Bolivia/Peru; AD&AMs figure is clenching a head in each hand illustrating the concept of duality which is an Andean attribute.
South America, Peru, South Coast, Nazca
Nasca bulbous vase with Jiquima decoration.
Nasca cup bowl with stars, qudripartite base.
Nasca goblet with trophy heads and step-frets.
Nasca rounded bottom bowl with pepper decoration.
Nasca cup bowl with anthropomorphic mythical being with serpentine body.
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.
Polychrome Strap Handled Vessel
Gift of Dr. Stephen S. Ainsworth and Mrs. John Goodspeed Ainsworth
three fruits? or root vegetables? and single spout
Nasca straight sided bowl with forest birds, corn, lucuma and pepper decoration.
Globular double-spot bottle with trophy heads and step-frets;The Nasca were situated on the southern coast of Peru and lived in a dry, desert-like environment dependent on fresh water run off from the mountains. Their religion was based on harnessing powerful spirits of the sky, earth and ocean to help them prevent the sudden and catacylsimc events, such as earthquakes, flash floods and droughts, which frequently affected them. The vessels in this vitrine represent two symbols associated with promoting a fertile harvest. The double-spouted jar depicts the Masked Mythical Spotted Cat Deity which takes its basic form from the pampas cat, a feline native to the area who helped prevent mice, from despoiling crops. On the vase trophy heads, or the severed heads of enemies killed in battle, are shown in profile lining the rim. Trophy heads were used as offerings to the gods to guarantee agricultural fertility. The dots of red paint decorating this vessel represent drops of blood from the severed heads.
Nasca modeled double spout with Lucuma decoration.
South America, Peru, North Coast, Moche
terracotta, polychrome slip, dark red, white and black
South America, Peru, Inca
South America, Peru, Central Coast, Inca
South America, North Coast, Peru, Inca, Chimu
incised abstract geometric decor filled in white
South America, Peru, North Coast, Chimu
Single Fragment of Gauze Fabric
South America, Peru, North Coast, Inca, Chimu
Vessel, Huaca Sculptured Bottle
Portrait beaker with incised decoration.
gourd shape blackware ceramic, Late Intermediate Period
four globes or spheres under stirrup spout, Late Intermediate Period
turquoise, mother of pearl, coral and bronze beads
Double Body Vessel with Fish Image
In the absence of a written language, the specific narratives on vessels from the Chimu culture are still a mystery to anthropologists. With that said, they do impart info. The blackware pot features a fish which makes reference to the important role the sea played in the daily lives of the Chimu. The Humboldt Current which is located off of Peru, supports a rich array of aquatic life that, even then, sustained the Chimu. With such an abundant food source, it is no wonder the Chimu worshipped the ocean and regularly used aquatic life forms for decoration.
Gift of Dr. Stephen S. Gooodspeed and Mrs. John Goodspeed Ainsworth
Joined Double Vessel with two Figures
In the absence of a written language, the specific narratives on these two vessels from the Chimu culture are still a mystery to anthropologists. With that said, they do impart information about some of the social issues of their day. The terracotta pot refers to the strict social stratification system in Chimu society with the larger and more elaborately dressed figure taking precedent over his smaller counterpart. The two are covered with spondylous (spiny oyster) shells, a highly prized possession, indicating they are of the elite class.
South America, Peru, North Coast, Chimu "Style"
Man's head with mustache on spout; coat of arms and Hapsburg Eagle on body