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Collections: Arts of the Americas: Incised Strombus-Shell Trumpet

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Incised Strombus-Shell Trumpet

Culture: Chavin
Medium: Strombus shell
Place Found: Northern Highlands, Peru
Dates: 400-200 B.C.E.
Period: Formative Period
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 7 1/8 x 11 1/4 in. (28.6 x 18.1 x 28.6 cm)
Collections: Arts of the Americas
Museum Location: This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
Accession Number: L52.1
Credit Line: Anonymous Loan
Image: Overall, L52.1_transp5626.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Catalogue Description: Strombus-shell trumpet with an elaborate, incised design of a human figure blowing on a conch shell with a cascade of serpents emanating from it, possibly alluding to the sacred nature of the sounds produced. The ancient Chavin people probably used shell trumpets during rituals because such activities are depicted on architectural friezes and monumental sculpture. Drill holes suggest that the piece could have been suspended on a cord, perhaps from the neck of a priest. Condition: excellent.

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ninakuriloff (2)
- strombus shell
- Chavin
Annarchy (7)
- shell
- decorative
- decorated
- etched
- inscribed
- musical
- musical instrument
tamazovich (6)
- shell
- horn
- trumpet
- conch
- carved
- enigmatic

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