Bowl with a Killer Whale Deity – Nasca

Nasca100 BC – AD 700

该作品的收藏者：

Killer whales, found in the seas off the coast of Peru, are cunning and powerful hunters. This bowl depicts a killer whale deity with human arms in addition to fins, representing the fearsome strength of natural forces that had to be appeased by sacrifice.

The Nasca culture lived on the south coast of present-day Peru from 100 BC to AD 700. They produced amazing textiles that were preserved by the dry desert climate. The Nasca are also known for bright polished ceramics and the giant geoglyphs they carved in the sand, which have remained etched in the landscape for more than 1500 years. The taking of enemy trophy heads was popular in many Pre-Columbian cultures, but the Nasca are especially known for their trophy-head cult. They believed that the blood of trophy heads nourished the earth and helped plants to grow. The killer whale deity was important to this cult. Although the deities were often depicted with human hands holding trophy heads, in this image the hand is empty.

作品介绍

• 标题: Bowl with a Killer Whale Deity
• 创作者: Nasca
• 创作日期: 100 BC – AD 700
• 实际尺寸: w11.4 x d38.1 cm (entire)
• Credit Line: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, gift of Samuel Merrin in honor of Alfred C. Glassell, Jr.'s 90th birthday
• 类型: Ceramics
• 外部链接: MFAH
• 材质: Ceramic with slip

该作品收藏于：

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston