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Rain of the Moon: Silver in Ancient Peru
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Description
Elaborate vessels such as this one, which often have a short cutout section on the rim for pouring, probably were used in courtly or ceremonial drinking rituals before being placed in the tomb of an important individual. This vessel is made of many separate preformed sections joined by welding and soldering.
Quintessentially Andean, this appealing vessel is in the shape of a man playing a panpipe. He is dressed in a tunic and loincloth and carries a shoulder bag. The chased and stippled scroll designs, step-fret motifs, and zigzag patterns on his clothing are well known from surviving textiles of the period. He also wears a cap and earrings (one is missing). The motifs on the back of his hands probably represent body paint or tattooing.
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