Chancay Pottery Monkey Figure Fragment

Pre-Columbian era, Chancay culture, 1000-1470AD, Peru.

Fascinating, unpolished and hand-modelled pottery monkey figure head fragment. Most likely the top of a much larger votive statuette and probably was once painted with dark brown pigment, all colouration now lost however. Monkeys were not native to the coastal regions of Peru, but it is believed they were imported from Ecuador to the north and kept as pets, or trained to harvest fruits from trees. The Chancay were a pre-Columbian archaeological civilization which developed between the valleys of Fortaleza, Pativilca, Supe, Huaura, Chancay, Chillón, Rimac and Lurin, on the central coast of Peru from c. 1000AD-1470AD. The Chancay culture is defined archaeologically by a distinctive and homogeneous ceramic style. These ceramics are known from extensive cemeteries in the Chancay region, where they were included in burials as grave goods. They are generally mold-made of a peculiarly gritty clay that leaves an unpolished matte surface. Over this is painted a white slip, decorated with black or dark brown designs. 

Moderate condition. Age-related heavy wear, chip and abrasion. Encrustation and dust. Size approx. 5,6cm x 6,4cm x 6,6cm. 

Provenance: According to information, from the collection of Dr. Ferdinand Anton (1929-2003, noted archaeologist and photographer.