Material : Terracotta
Origin : south coast of Peru
Culture : Nasca
Era : 100 BC / 700 AD
Early Intermediate

Condition : Perfect condition

Dimensions : H = 13 cm (5,07 in)

Very beautiful vase, with polychromes patterns. This vase represents a human head. Big elongated eyes are opened, and emphasized by red and light triangles. Above each eye, there are black eyebrows. Under the nose in relief, the mouth is made by a black stroke in a white oval, circled in black. The hairstyle, probably a piece of textile, shows geometrics patterns. On the forehead, we can see black reversed waves: probably hair. Each trophy head represent one person. This type of ceramics recalled heads of defeated enemies and they were placed into warriors’ graves in order to remain of their victories and their courage during battles. Most of this ceramics show masculine features like beard, moustache…In this case, it may be a very young man.

 

Bibliography
E. Maurer, M. Hennen, « Symboles sacrés. Quatre mille ans d’art des Amériques », p. 169, Paris, 2002. Catalogue Binoche, "Art Précolombien", vente du 26 juin 2006, p. 44, Paris, 2006