Chimú Figural Blackware Monkey Vessel

Pre-Columbian Era, Chimú Culture, c. 800-1470 AD, Moche Valley, Trujillo, Peru

This absolutely stunning Chimú blackware vessel, masterfully crafted in a mold-made, standardized form, exemplifies the refined ceramic traditions of the Chimú civilization. Produced in oxygen-deprived kilns, the blackened finish results from the reduction-firing process, while its smooth, polished surface was achieved through meticulous burnishing with a polished stone.

Depicting a captivating monkey figure, this vessel offers a glimpse into the exotic influences present in Chimú culture. Monkeys were not native to the coastal regions of northern Peru but were imported from Ecuador, where they were kept as pets or trained to harvest fruit. The embossed ring encircling both the jar and the monkey’s waist suggests its captive state, hinting at the close relationship between the Chimú elite and their prized animals. The vessel’s globular body, corseted neck, and flared rim are characteristic of Chimú blackware ceramics, which were produced both for daily use and ceremonial offerings.

Symbolic and artistically sophisticated, this piece embodies the cultural, ritualistic, and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chimú people. It is a rare and significant artifact, making it a museum-worthy addition for collectors of pre-Columbian art and Andean antiquities.

Good condition. Hole on the side. Chip to rim. Repaired arm. Age-related minimal wear. Lovely patina. Size approx. 15,0cm x 14,5cm x 12,0cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection