Vessel in the form of a seated warrior
Vessel in the form of a seated warrior

On view

Art of the Ancient Americas

Vessel in the form of a seated warrior,

330–430 CE

Nasca
Early Intermediate Period (Middle Nasca phase)
y1990-15
Only a small percentage of Nasca ceramics were finely painted, with a smaller subset modeled into naturalistic forms. Within this extraordinary group of ceramics, human representations were among the rarest subjects. The bridge-spout vessel displayed at the top presents two men, identifiable as warriors by their spear-throwers and darts. The vessel on the lower left also represents a warrior holding the same weapons across his chest. He shares the checkerboard tunic style of one of the warriors above. Inka warriors wore this same black-and-white design a millennium after these vessels were created. The seated woman with hands resting on her knees is more fully modeled. Although the figure was created nude, it was dressed in a separate textile skirt and a gauzy capelet (not on display), a red textile necklace, and the necklace of strung bird bones she currently wears.
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More Context

The Nasca culture of the south coast of Peru produced fine portable art, particularly ceramic vessels. Nasca potters were masters of color, applying to their vessels a palette of vibrant slips, more varied than that of any other ancient culture of the Americas. This example presents a male individual with long, straight-cut hair, sideburns, and a mustache and goatee. He wears a conical cap that falls forward, a checkered tunic, and a long, cream cape. As he holds what appear to be short spears, he may be a warrior. In typical Nasca fashion, the subtle deviations from a simple round form in the shape of the vessel body lend a sense of corporeality to the painted figure. The vessel spout is connected to the figure's projecting head by a slab bridge, a form related to the stirrup-spout.

Information

Title
Vessel in the form of a seated warrior
Dates

330–430 CE

Medium
Ceramic with polychrome slip-paint
Dimensions
h. 11.7, diam. 10.4 cm (4 5/8 × 4 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Carol R. Meyer in honor of Gillett G. Griffin
Object Number
y1990-15
Place Made

South America, Peru, South coast

Culture
Nazca
Period
Early Intermediate period
Type
spouts, ceramics, vessel, polychrome
Materials
pigment, slip, ceramic, polychrome
Subject
portraits, figures (representations), warriors, men

1990, gift of Carol R. Meyer, New York, to the Princeton University Art Museum.

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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