Vessel with Two Fishermen in a Reed Boat
Chimú
1 of 3
Object Label
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.
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) mount (display dimensions): 10 1/4 x 12 x 7 in. (26 x 30.5 x 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eugene Schaefer, 36.308. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Vessel with Two Fishermen in a Reed Boat
Date
1100–1470
Period
Pre-Spanish
Geography
Place made: North Coast, Peru
Medium
Ceramic
Classification
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)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Eugene Schaefer
Accession Number
36.308
Frequent Art Questions
Tell me more about these guys!
You're looking at a Chimú jar from about 1100-1400 . For the Chimú of Peru's north coast, the ocean provided both food and status objects such as precious shells. On this vessel, two men sit in a traditional type of boat that is still used today by modern Peruvian fisherman.Chimú ceramics are generally mold-made blackwares. Painted designs on Chimú ceramics are rare.I think the coil-building technique is quite impressive!
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