Salinar Culture Head Effigy Vessel, 500 BCE - 200 CE
Terracotta
8.25
K.023
Further images
Who is the plump-cheeked individual portrayed on this early Peruvian vase? Is he a god of the wind, set to release his drafty breath upon the world? Are his wide-staring...
Who is the plump-cheeked individual portrayed on this early Peruvian vase? Is he a god of the wind, set to release his drafty breath upon the world? Are his wide-staring eyes and serpent-painted cheeks meant to frighten away spirits and demons from the bottle's contents? Very possibly, he represents a Peruvian warrior chewing coca leaves, perhaps in preparation for battle. The stimulant coca was commonly used in Ancient Peru as an antidote to the high altitudes, and as a source of energy. A harmonious symphony of curves, this bottle is a masterpiece of the potter's art. As with any important artifact, it offers revealing information about the culture that created it.