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Vessel with Two Fishermen in a Reed Boat

Arts of the Americas

On the North Coast of Peru, ancient Chimú fishermen plied the waters of the Pacific Ocean in reed boats to catch fish and shellfish, and hunt marine animals. On this finely modeled and highly polished blackware vessel, two fishermen are depicted wearing conical hats and holding oars. Contemporary fishermen in Peru still use this same type of boat, called a caballito de totora.
CULTURE Chimú
MEDIUM Ceramic
  • Place Made: North Coast, Peru
  • DATES 1100–1470
    PERIOD Pre-Spanish
    DIMENSIONS 9 3/4 x 11 x 7 in. (24.8 x 27.9 x 17.8 cm) mount (display dimensions): 10 1/4 x 12 x 7 in. (26 x 30.5 x 17.8 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
    ACCESSION NUMBER 36.308
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Mrs. Eugene Schaefer
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Blackware ceramic jar in the form of a large tortora reed boat with two men sitting on top paddling. There is a looped handle and spout in the center.
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Chimú. Vessel with Two Fishermen in a Reed Boat, 1100–1470. Ceramic, 9 3/4 x 11 x 7 in. (24.8 x 27.9 x 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eugene Schaefer, 36.308. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 36.308_acetate_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 36.308_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Chimú. <em>Vessel with Two Fishermen in a Reed Boat</em>, 1100–1470. Ceramic, 9 3/4 x 11 x 7 in. (24.8 x 27.9 x 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eugene Schaefer, 36.308. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 36.308_acetate_bw.jpg)