Chimú Ceramic Pitcher. Spanish Import License. - 28.5 cm
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,000 - € 1,300
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Description from the seller
Chimú Ceramic Vessel (c. 1500 CE)
A collectible piece with a Spanish Import License and complete documentation.
Details of the Piece:
Culture: Chimú
Time Frame / Century: c. 1500 CE
Object: Ceremonial Vessel / Vessel (Ceramic Vessel)
Material: Ceramic
Condition: Excellent preservation.
Dimensions:
Height: 28.5 cm
Length: 23 cm
Current Provenance
Auction House/2025/Spain
Previous Provenance and Documentation
Origin: Chimú, Peru.
Provenance: Private collection, France.
Acquired: Before 1970.
Documentation Included:
Certificate of Authenticity.
Export License.
Spanish Import License.
Statement of Provenance.
Legal Note: The seller warrants that the piece was obtained legally and complies with all national and international laws relating to the possession of cultural property. The complete documentation for the sale is included.
History and Context of Chimú Culture (c. 900 - 1470 CE)
The Chimú culture developed on the northern coast of Peru, with its capital in the monumental city of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the Americas. The Chimú civilization flourished until it was conquered by the Inca Empire around 1470 CE.
The Meaning of Black Ceramics
The Chimú were heirs of the pottery tradition of the Moche culture. Their ceramics are distinctive for being almost uniformly of a bright black color. This color was not achieved through glaze but through firing in a closed, oxygen-poor environment, producing a characteristic smoky and lustrous finish.
Function of the Vessels
These vessels, known as huacos, were not merely utilitarian; they carried deep social and ritual significance:
Ceremonial and Funerary: Many pieces were placed as grave goods in elite burials to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Representation: Chimú potters specialized in sculptural vessels, such as this piece, which often depict mythical figures, birds (marine birds, fish), plants, and crucially, scenes of daily life and rituals. The vessel type "Buque" (Vessel) typically had handles shaped like yokes or bridges connecting the mouth of the vessel, an Andean stylistic signature.
Use: Pieces like this would have been used in ritual exchanges, offerings, or to store liquids (such as chicha) in ceremonial contexts.
This vessel is a tangible testament to the sophisticated art and rich worldview of one of the most important pre-Columbian cultures in South America.
Chimú Ceramic Vessel (c. 1500 CE)
A collectible piece with a Spanish Import License and complete documentation.
Details of the Piece:
Culture: Chimú
Time Frame / Century: c. 1500 CE
Object: Ceremonial Vessel / Vessel (Ceramic Vessel)
Material: Ceramic
Condition: Excellent preservation.
Dimensions:
Height: 28.5 cm
Length: 23 cm
Current Provenance
Auction House/2025/Spain
Previous Provenance and Documentation
Origin: Chimú, Peru.
Provenance: Private collection, France.
Acquired: Before 1970.
Documentation Included:
Certificate of Authenticity.
Export License.
Spanish Import License.
Statement of Provenance.
Legal Note: The seller warrants that the piece was obtained legally and complies with all national and international laws relating to the possession of cultural property. The complete documentation for the sale is included.
History and Context of Chimú Culture (c. 900 - 1470 CE)
The Chimú culture developed on the northern coast of Peru, with its capital in the monumental city of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the Americas. The Chimú civilization flourished until it was conquered by the Inca Empire around 1470 CE.
The Meaning of Black Ceramics
The Chimú were heirs of the pottery tradition of the Moche culture. Their ceramics are distinctive for being almost uniformly of a bright black color. This color was not achieved through glaze but through firing in a closed, oxygen-poor environment, producing a characteristic smoky and lustrous finish.
Function of the Vessels
These vessels, known as huacos, were not merely utilitarian; they carried deep social and ritual significance:
Ceremonial and Funerary: Many pieces were placed as grave goods in elite burials to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Representation: Chimú potters specialized in sculptural vessels, such as this piece, which often depict mythical figures, birds (marine birds, fish), plants, and crucially, scenes of daily life and rituals. The vessel type "Buque" (Vessel) typically had handles shaped like yokes or bridges connecting the mouth of the vessel, an Andean stylistic signature.
Use: Pieces like this would have been used in ritual exchanges, offerings, or to store liquids (such as chicha) in ceremonial contexts.
This vessel is a tangible testament to the sophisticated art and rich worldview of one of the most important pre-Columbian cultures in South America.
Details
Culture
Chimú
Century/ Timeframe
1500 d.C.
Name of object
Pitcher. Spanish Import License.
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Ceramic
Country acquired from
Spain
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
28.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Width
23 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
23 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
