Smith Art Gallery & Museum | Details

Sidebar content	Main content
Actions Displays	Water flask Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number06223 TitleWater flask DescriptionThis earthenware water flask is a wonderful example of huaco pottery from the north coast of present-day Peru. It was made sometime between 1100-1400 by one of the sophisticated civilisations that flourished in South America, until they were absorbed into the Incan Empire during the mid-15th century. Huaco pottery was not for everyday use. Instead, these finely made vessels and other artworks were linked to religion and ceremony – they held meaning. They have been found at the sites of early burial grounds, temples and other places of sanctuary. This double-chambered flask with its bridging handle is a special vessel that would have been treasured in its day. The flask is very distinctive, with its charcoal black colour and polished, smooth surface. The colour is thought to have been made by limiting the oxygen supply during firing. The smoke and soot darkened the pottery, which was burnished to a shine once it had cooled. For the potters of Peru’s northern coast, inspiration often came from the world around them: birds, animals, plants and human figures feature on their pottery. One end of this flask holds the spout and is simply decorated with a pattern of raised dots called stippling. The bridging handle connects it to the other end, which is shaped like a squat, grinning man. It looks like he is wearing a shell necklace – the sea and its bounties are a common feature on Peruvian pottery from this period. . Production placeS. America, Peru. Production date 1100 - 1400 Object nameFlask (water carrier) "cuzco" Domestic MaterialEarthenware Dimensions whole Width: 75 mm whole Diameter: 170 mm whole Height: 155 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number06223

TitleWater flask

DescriptionThis earthenware water flask is a wonderful example of huaco pottery from the north coast of present-day Peru. It was made sometime between 1100-1400 by one of the sophisticated civilisations that flourished in South America, until they were absorbed into the Incan Empire during the mid-15th century. Huaco pottery was not for everyday use. Instead, these finely made vessels and other artworks were linked to religion and ceremony – they held meaning. They have been found at the sites of early burial grounds, temples and other places of sanctuary. This double-chambered flask with its bridging handle is a special vessel that would have been treasured in its day. The flask is very distinctive, with its charcoal black colour and polished, smooth surface. The colour is thought to have been made by limiting the oxygen supply during firing. The smoke and soot darkened the pottery, which was burnished to a shine once it had cooled. For the potters of Peru’s northern coast, inspiration often came from the world around them: birds, animals, plants and human figures feature on their pottery. One end of this flask holds the spout and is simply decorated with a pattern of raised dots called stippling. The bridging handle connects it to the other end, which is shaped like a squat, grinning man. It looks like he is wearing a shell necklace – the sea and its bounties are a common feature on Peruvian pottery from this period. .

Production placeS. America, Peru.

Production date 1100 - 1400

Object nameFlask (water carrier) "cuzco"

Domestic

MaterialEarthenware

Dimensions

whole Width: 75 mm
whole Diameter: 170 mm
whole Height: 155 mm