Nazca Pottery Jar

Pre-Columbian era, Nazca Civilization, 300BC-600AD, Peru.

Fascinating small-sized pottery jar. Nazca civilization flourished in ancient Peru between 300BC and 600AD. Early Nazca society was made up of local chiefdoms and regional centers of power centered around Cahuachi, a non-urban ceremonial site. These pyramid-like structures and plazas, situated in lower part of the Nazca Valley, served as important spaces for fertility and agricultural rituals. Nazca artifacts indicate that they worshiped a number of gods, or nature spirits. Their polychrome, or multicolored pottery came in different shapes such effigy or animal shaped bulbous vessels, double spouted bottles and round bowls. Nazca pottery was made by hand (pottery wheel was unknown) by the method of coiling, where a tube of clay was spiralled around base to build up the vessel. Then the sides of vessel, both in and out, were smoothed by hand. Before firing the pottery was painted by using several earth minerals. Because the Nazca had no writing system, iconography painted on pottery vessels were as important means of communicating shared ideas, religious practises and preservation of history. Not simply for everyday use, then, the Nazca created vessels for ritual use, burial offerings, and pure decoration.

Stunning globular miniature pottery jar was made with coiling technique, painted, fired and then polished. Bulbous form with flaring rim. Geometric iconography is typical Nazca style. Good condition. Faded colors. Age-related wear and abrasion. Lovely aged patina. Size approx. 8,0cm x 7,7cm x 7,7cm.

Provenance: Danish private collection