Chimú Ceramic Pitcher. Spanish Import License. - 28.5 cm

Chimú Ceramic Vessel (c. 1500 A.D.)

A collectible piece with a Spanish Import License and complete documentation.

Details of the Piece:

Culture: Chimú
Time Frame / Century: c. 1500 A.D.
Object: Ceremonial vessel / Ship (Ceramic Vessel)
Material: Ceramic
Condition: Excellent state of conservation.
Dimensions:
Height: 28.5 cm
Length: 23 cm

Current Provenance
Auction House / 2025 / Spain

Provenance and prior 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 guarantees 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 the Chimú Culture (c. 900 - 1470 A.D.)

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 A.D.

The Meaning of Black Ceramics

The Chimú were heirs to the pottery tradition of the Moche culture. Their ceramics are distinctive for being almost uniformly a bright black color. This color was not achieved by glaze, but through a firing process in a closed, oxygen-poor environment, producing a characteristic smoky and glossy 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 funerary grave goods in the burials of the elite to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Representation: Chimú potters specialized in sculptural vessels, such as this piece, which often depict mythical figures, animals (seabirds, fish), plants, and, crucially, scenes of daily life and rituals. The vessel type "Vessel" (Buque) often had handles in the shape of stirrups or bridges connecting the mouth of the vessel, a stylistic Andean feature.
Use: Pieces like this would have been used in ritual exchanges, offerings, or for storing liquids (such as chicha) in ceremonial contexts.
This vessel stands as a tangible testament to the sophisticated art and the rich worldview of one of the most important pre-Columbian cultures in South America.