About the exhibition
VESSELS AND RITUAL OBJECTS: PRE-COLUMBIAN CERAMICS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION
Checklist follows each section. All the objects are from the collection of the Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature, University of Richmond Museums. Measurements are in inches; height precedes width precedes depth.
Chimu
The Chimu people (a.d. 900-1450) of Peru produced distinctive blackware pottery. The vessels were created by smoldering flames during the firing and then buffing the surface to produce a dull sheen. Many of the pottery forms were adapted from the Moche culture, which preceded the Chimu in the Andean region of Peru. Vessels were mass-produced through the use of molds. Chimu pieces were rarely painted; decoration usually took the form of sculptural additions or carved forms, particularly of animals such as cats, dogs, frogs, and birds.
One type of pot originally developed by the Chimu culture is the double-chambered “whistling” pot, which consists of two chambers with their spouts linked together by a horizontal bar through which liquid could pass. As the fluid was rocked back and forth between the two cavities, labored breathing sounds similar to those of the dying were produced. Because of this association with death, many believe that this popular form of vessel was used as a funerary object.
Double Chambered Whistling Vessel, Chimu (circa A.D. 900-1450), Peru
black earthenware, 8 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 4 1/4, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.14
Frog Effigy Vessel, Chimu (circa A.D.. 900-1450), Peru
black earthenware, 5 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 4 3/4, Anonymous gift, R1981.16.01
Spout Vessel in the form of a Spondylous Shell, Chimu (circa A.D. 900-1450), Peru
black earthenware, 7 3/4 x 7 x 4, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.10
Stirrup Spout Vessel with Monkey, Chimu (circa A.D. 900-1450), Peru
earthenware, 9 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 5, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.15
Vessel with Lizard Design, Chimu (circa A.D. 900-1450), Peru
black earthenware, 6 1/4 x 5 1/2 x 5, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.16
Figurines
Pre-Columbian gods and zoomorphic deities were commonly represented as ceramic figurines. Figurines were created as fertility or protective charms or as icons of gods.
Female Figurine, Colima (circa 200 B.C.E. - A.D. 200), West Mexico
earthenware, 6 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/4, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.05
Female Figurine, Colima (circa 200 B.C.E. - A.D. 200), West Mexico
earthenware, 7 1/2 x 3 3/4 x 1 3/4, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.07
Female Figurine, Michoacan (circa 300 B.C.E.), Mexico
earthenware, 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 x 1, Gift of Harvey Sarner, R1985.06.10
Female Figurine, Michoacan (circa 300 B.C.E.), Mexico
earthenware, 3 x 1 1/2 x 1, Gift of Harvey Sarner, R1985.06.12
Pregnant Female Figurine, Chancay (circa A.D. 1200), Peru
earthenware with blackslip, 2 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 1, Gift of Harvey Sarner, R1985.06.11
Rattles, whistles, and bells
Music was an important part of many pre-Columbian cultures, particularly in religious ceremonies, as evidenced by the numerous instruments found in the tombs and ruins of ancient cities. Instruments were played to accompany processions of priests, to signify the climax of certain ceremonies, and to complement sacrificial rites. All of these observances were performed in the hopes of pleasing the gods who were believed to be soothed by the sound of music. Typical musical instruments included flutes and rattles made of fired clay, conch shells used as trumpets, and drums made of turtle shells or hollowed out logs.
Bell, Maya (n.d.), Honduras
copper, 1 1/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4, Gift of James P. Ryan, R1984.04.01
Bell, Maya (n.d.), Honduras
copper, 1 x 2 2/4 x 1 1/4, Gift of James P. Ryan, R1984.04.02
Flute, (circa A.D. 600-800), Costa Rica
polished earthenware with green slip, 1 x 12 x 1 1/4, Gift of Stephen Wilson, R1982.24.05
Tripod Vessel, Huetar (circa A.D. 600-800), Costa Rica
earthenware, 8 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 5 3/4, Gift of Peter Ferrini, R1982.21.08
Whistle in the Form of a Human Figure, Maya (circa A.D. 600-800), Honduras
earthenware, 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/2, Gift of Wafik Hanna, R1982.26.08
Whistle in the Form of a Human Figure, Maya (circa A.D. 600-800), Honduras
earthenware, 2 1/2 x 2 x 1, Gift of Wafik Hanna, R1982.26.09
Whistle in the Form of a Human Figure, Maya (circa A.D. 600-800), Honduras
earthenware, 3 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/2, Gift of Wafik Hanna, R1982.26.10
Shamanism
The religions of many pre-Columbian civilizations utilized shamans as priests who acted as intermediaries between gods and people. The shaman could also be a diviner of the future, a healer, and a guide to the souls of the dead on their way to the afterlife. In some cultures the shaman played a civic role as a judge, resolving the disputes of the society. It was believed that the shaman underwent ritual death during initiations. Because of this contact with the afterlife, the shaman was able to heal diseases caused by evil spirits and act as a guide for the souls of the dead traveling to the next world. The shaman was often the most important member of a pre-Columbian civilization and was given certain privileges such as the ability to accumulate wealth. Anthropomorphic and zoomorphic imagery was common in earthenware associated with shamanism because a shaman was believed to be able to transform into different animals during specific rituals. One commonly depicted animal was the jaguar, a symbol of the earth and royal power.
Head of a Monkey, Maya (n.d.)
earthenware, 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 2, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.01
Head of a Jaguar, Maya (n.d.)
earthenware, 2 x 1 3/4 x 2, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.02
Monkey Effigy Vessel, circa A.D. 800-1500, probably Costa Rica
earthenware with orange slip, 6 1/4 x 5 x 5 1/2, Gift of Stephen Todorovich, R1983.11.01
Portrait Effigy Vessel, Maya (circa A.D. 700-900), Guatemala
earthenware with orange slip, 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 Gift of Harvey Sarner, R1985.06.05
Tripod Effigy Vessel, circa A.D. 600-800, Costa Rica
earthenware, 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 10, Gift of Peter Ferrini, R1982.21.03
Vessels
Pre-Columbian vessels were primarily made of earthenware. They took a number of traditional forms, including spherical, cylindrical, and ovoid and double-chambered shapes with varied handles and spouts. They were used as cooking pots, water jugs, household utensils, and ritual and funerary objects. Their shape, function, and decoration distinguished the pieces amongst pre-Columbian cultures. Anthropomorphic and zoomorphic vessels that typically suggest funerary and ritual use were embellished by more distinct and elaborate decoration than domestic pottery. Although many cultures borrowed from each other, each culture gave their vessels their own details and iconography.
Cylindrical Vessel, n.d., Costa Rica
earthenware, 4 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2, Gift of Lowell R. Graves, R1982.14.06
Bowl, n.d., Costa Rica
painted earthenware, 3 1/2 x 4 x 4, Gift of Peter Ferrini, R1982.21.05
Bowl, n.d., Costa Rica
painted earthenware, 2 3/4 x 4 x 4, Gift of R. L. Turner, R1983.10.01
Vessel, Nazca (circa 100 B.C.E.. - A.D. 600), Peru
painted earthenware, 5 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 4 3/4, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.12
Vessel, circa A.D. 800-1500, probably Costa Rica
painted earthenware, 6 x 6 1/2 x 6 1/2, Gift of Lowell R. Graves, R1982.14.07
Vessel, Zapote (n.d.), Costa Rica
painted earthenware, 10 x 13 x 11, Gift of James P. Ryan, R1984.04.03
Effigy Bowl, Nazca (circa 100 B.C.E. - A.D. 600), Peru
painted earthenware, 3 1/4 x 4 1/2 x 5, Anonymous gift, R0000.079.11
Necklace, Maya (n.d.), Honduras
jade, 1 x 1 x 16, Gift of R. L. Turner, R1983.10.03