On view
Art of the Ancient Americas
Incised and painted gourd,
80–260 CE
Nasca
Early Intermediate Period (Early Nasca phase)
2018-12
The designs that embellish the gourd and panpipes displayed here present complex variations of the so-called Anthropomorphic Mythical Being, a common supernatural subject in Nasca art that blends animal and human qualities. Both of these works feature one of the being’s characteristic traits, a human face largely covered by white feline whiskers. The figure that wraps around the gourd has human arms and legs but also a wing and a bird tail. The image on the panpipes is more complex, with elements of the primary supernatural’s body replaced by other elements.
Information
Title
Incised and painted gourd
Dates
80–260 CE
Medium
Gourd with remnants of black and yellow resin paint
Dimensions
approx h. 10.2 cm (4 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Gillett G. Griffin Art of the Ancient Americas Fund
Object Number
2018-12
Place Made
South America, Peru, South coast
Culture
Subject
1965, Alan C. Lapiner (1933-1975), New York, sold to private collection, New York [1]; 2018, sold to the Princeton University Art Museum.
Notes:
[1] According to the collector catalogue. Copy in curatorial file.
