Chancay Ceramic Bowl - 4 cm

Chancay Culture – Pre-Columbian Painted Ceramic Bowl with Geometric Decoration – Peru – 1100–1400 AD

This bowl has been expertised by the expert Jean-Claude Alba.

Culture: Chancay
Period: 1100–1400 AD
Geographical origin: Central Coast of Peru, particularly the Chancay and Chillón valleys
Material: Painted earthenware
Object: Shallow ceramic bowl
Decoration: Black-on-cream, stylised geometric motif
Dimensions: 16,2 x 4 cm
Condition: Ancient-style surface wear, cracks, rim losses and pigment deterioration; see photographs
Provenance: French Auction house, before that, French Private Collection, collected in South-America before 1970. A statement of provenance from the previous owner can be issued on demand.

Description

An attractive shallow ceramic bowl of to the Chancay culture, which flourished along the central coast of Peru during the Late Intermediate Period (c. AD 1000–1470).

The vessel features a broad, open body, gently curving walls, a simple rim and a relatively small circular foot. Its exterior is decorated with a prominent dark brown to black, curved motif against a pale cream-coloured ground.

The interior retains traces of reddish-brown painted decoration (?), together with areas of surviving pale surface coating. The contrast between the light ground and darker painted elements is characteristic of the black-on-white ceramic tradition associated with the Chancay cultural sphere.

The Chancay civilization developed in the coastal valleys north of present-day Lima, particularly around Chancay and Chillón. Its artistic production is especially renowned for ceramics and textiles, including vessels decorated with geometric, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic motifs.

This bowl offers an appealing example of the visual language associated with pre-Columbian coastal Peruvian pottery, combining a restrained vessel form with painted decoration.

Condition

The bowl is in a visibly damaged and weathered condition.

A substantial crack extends across one side of the vessel, continuing from the rim into the body. Additional smaller cracks, chips and losses are visible along the rim. The painted and cream-coloured surfaces show abrasion, discoloration, deposits and areas of loss.

There is also an irregular area of surface loss in the central interior, exposing the underlying reddish ceramic body.

The object is displayed using a removable modern metal support, which is not part of the ancient vessel.

The photographs form an integral part of the condition description. Buyers are encouraged to examine them carefully.


Historical context

The Chancay culture occupied the central coast of Peru during the centuries preceding the expansion of the Inca Empire. Its communities developed a distinctive material culture, particularly in ceramic production, textile manufacture and funerary traditions.

Chancay pottery is frequently associated with pale surfaces and contrasting dark-painted motifs, including abstract geometric forms, birds, fish and other stylised figures.

Such ceramics provide important evidence of the artistic traditions and everyday material culture of pre-Hispanic coastal Peru.

An evocative example of Chancay-style ceramic craftsmanship, particularly appealing to collectors of pre-Columbian art and ancient American cultures.

This bowl has been expertised by the expert Jean-Claude Alba.


The bowl will be shipped with DPD, UPS or any other transportist, insured and well packed.
In case of need, an export licence can be supplied.