Pectoral

100 BCE–500 CE

Not on view

Coastal Piura, near the modern Peruvian border with Ecuador, was home to the Vicús society. There, accomplished metalsmiths excelled at creating ornaments using the repoussé technique, where a hammered metal sheet is cut and worked from behind to achieve raised designs, often featuring felines and birds (see, for example, MMA 1991.419.50). Other works, such as the present example, appear unadorned. This pectoral, wide at top and tapering to a rounded bottom, has three perforations at the semi-circular cut out top, perhaps for the suspension of other ornaments. The upper left and right corners were folded over in antiquity.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Pectoral
Artist: Vicús artist(s)
Date: 100 BCE–500 CE
Geography: Peru
Culture: Vicús
Medium: Copper
Dimensions: H x W: 17 5/16 x 13in. (44 x 33cm)
Classification: Metal-Ornaments
Credit Line: Bequest of Jane Costello Goldberg, from the Collection of Arnold I. Goldberg, 1986
Object Number: 1987.394.420
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

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Nose ornament, Vicús artist(s), Gold, Vicús — Nose ornament
Vicús artist(s)
100 BCE–500 CE

Double-chambered bottle with effigy figures, Vicús artist(s), Ceramic, pigment, Vicús — Double-chambered bottle with effigy figures
Vicús artist(s)
100 BCE–500 CE

Crown with dangles, Vicús artist(s), Gilded copper, Vicús (?) — Crown with dangles
Vicús artist(s)
100 BCE–500 CE

Mace head, Vicús artist(s), Copper, Vicús — Mace head
Vicús artist(s)
100 BCE–500 CE

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