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This very shiny black Chimú vessel has two quite different images on its sides. On one side is an important ruler or lord, whose power is reinforced by the two staffs he holds in each hand. He also wears an elaborate tunic and jewelry, and has a small attendant, who offers him a cup, probably filled with the fermented corn beverage chicha, which was used in all ritual occasions. On the other side of the vessel is a disembodied face, possibly referencing a trophy head and the taking of enemies’ heads in warfare. However, due to the appearance of old age in the head, it may also refer to a deity related to fertility that appears in many Andean ceramics. The glossy surface of the vessel is created by allowing smoke from the burning of wood to permeate ceramics in the kiln. Such shiny dark ceramics were highly prized by the Chimú.

Page data

Page
2
Source index
0
Type
photo
Media ID
b966304ff00df974
Size
unknown

Document data

ID
79423
Core
obj
Type
object
DTO data
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    "id": "79423",
    "sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/48.2858",
    "contentType": "object",
    "stage": "normalized",
    "title": "Jar",
    "description": "This very shiny black Chimú vessel has two quite different images on its sides. On one side is an important ruler or lord, whose power is reinforced by the two staffs he holds in each hand. He also wears an elaborate tunic and jewelry, and has a small attendant, who offers him a cup, probably filled with the fermented corn beverage chicha, which was used in all ritual occasions. On the other side of the vessel is a disembodied face, possibly referencing a trophy head and the taking of enemies’ heads in warfare. However, due to the appearance of old age in the head, it may also refer to a deity related to fertility that appears in many Andean ceramics. The glossy surface of the vessel is created by allowing smoke from the burning of wood to permeate ceramics in the kiln. Such shiny dark ceramics were highly prized by the Chimú.",
    "provenance": "New World Antiquities, San Francisco [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Private collection, 1988, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 2009, by gift.",
    "date": "1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)",
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    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
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    "imageCount": 3,
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    "source": "import",
    "dimensions": [
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        }
    ],
    "dimensionsRaw": "H: 8 1/4 x W: 5 3/4 x D: 3 3/4 in. (21 x 14.6 x 9.5 cm)"
}

Context sent to Scholar

Document identity
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    "localId": "79423",
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    "core": "obj",
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    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/48.2858"
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Document source metadata
{
    "id": "79423",
    "sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/48.2858",
    "contentType": "object",
    "stage": "normalized",
    "title": "Jar",
    "description": "This very shiny black Chimú vessel has two quite different images on its sides. On one side is an important ruler or lord, whose power is reinforced by the two staffs he holds in each hand. He also wears an elaborate tunic and jewelry, and has a small attendant, who offers him a cup, probably filled with the fermented corn beverage chicha, which was used in all ritual occasions. On the other side of the vessel is a disembodied face, possibly referencing a trophy head and the taking of enemies’ heads in warfare. However, due to the appearance of old age in the head, it may also refer to a deity related to fertility that appears in many Andean ceramics. The glossy surface of the vessel is created by allowing smoke from the burning of wood to permeate ceramics in the kiln. Such shiny dark ceramics were highly prized by the Chimú.",
    "provenance": "New World Antiquities, San Francisco [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Private collection, 1988, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 2009, by gift.",
    "date": "1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/48.2858",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "genreSpecific": [
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    "largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_48.2858_3Qtr_DD_T09.jpg",
    "imageCount": 3,
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Document source extras
{
    "cul": "Chimú",
    "med": "earthenware",
    "creator_ids": [
        "8561"
    ],
    "collection_ids": [
        "AME"
    ],
    "exhibition_ids": []
}
Page context
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