Mortar in the form of a feline
This zoomorphic mortar is in the shape of a four-legged feline sculpted in the round and with a deep depression on its dorsal side. The head of the feline contains a deeply-incised mouth, rouded eyes, a pronounced nose that connects to a subtle brow ridge, and pointed ears. The curled tail of the feline forms a loop on the rear of the mortar.
The Condorhuasi-Alamito peoples were llama pastoralists in the area that is now the Catamarca province of Argentina. They were skilled artisans in a variety of media, including ceramic, metal, and stone. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Condorhuasi-Alamito peoples maintained extensive long-distance contacts with other regions, including the important site of Tiwanaku, near Lake Titicaca in what is now Bolivia.
The Condorhuasi-Alamito peoples were llama pastoralists in the area that is now the Catamarca province of Argentina. They were skilled artisans in a variety of media, including ceramic, metal, and stone. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Condorhuasi-Alamito peoples maintained extensive long-distance contacts with other regions, including the important site of Tiwanaku, near Lake Titicaca in what is now Bolivia.
Artwork Details
- Title: Mortar in the form of a feline
- Date: 700–400 BCE
- Geography: Argentina
- Culture: Alamito
- Medium: Basalt
- Dimensions: H. 5 3/4 × W. 5 × L. 12 7/8 in. (14.6 × 12.7 × 32.8 cm)
- Classification: Stone-Vessels
- Credit Line: Gift of Claudia Quentin, 2016
- Object Number: 2016.734.7
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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Cupisnique artist(s)
1000–800 BCE
Salinar artist(s)
500–100 BCE
Salinar artist(s)
450–150 BCE
Salinar artist(s)
500–100 BCE
Salinar artist(s)
500–100 BCE
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