Vessel
Viru/Gallinazo
Peru, north coast
100 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.
Ceramic
W: 9.5 cm, H: 16.50 cm, D: 21 cm
Origin: This vessel originated from the Viru/Gallinazo culture. The Viru, also known as Gallinazo was located on the northwest coast of Peru. The culture was pre-Inca and also pre-Columbian. This culture thrived at the beginning of the Early Intermediate Period around 200 B.C.
History: Gallinazo ceramics had a type of ornamentation that was unique to the culture. It is called negative painting, which means certain areas were covered in organic materials such as wax which melted while the piece was baking, When the item came out, the covered area were left with a lighter shade, thus creating an ornamental pattern.
The relevance of this item is that it shows the unique designs of the Viru/ Gallinazo culture and is displayed in the Fowler Museum of California for tourists to view.
The vessel shows the head of a figure, maybe a huaca. This figure is inside of a temple or shrine. This vessel shows the influence of indigenous religion of the culture.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vir%C3%BA_culture
http://www.tampere.fi/ekstrat/taidemuseo/arkisto/peru/800/gallinazo_en.htm
http://fowler.ucla.edu/collections/objects/x88-848)