Paracas ceramic trumpet

300–200 BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 684

The incised and painted decoration on this trumpet features a stylized figure grasping a trophy head by its hair in one hand and a large obsidian knife in the other. A falcon is depicted on the reverse side. This thick-walled trumpet was capable of producing a single, loud note.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Paracas ceramic trumpet
Period: Pre-Columbian
Date: 300–200 BCE
Geography: Ocucaje-South Coast, Paracas, Peru
Culture: Paracas
Medium: Ceramic, polychrome
Dimensions: 12 × 4 × 4 1/8 in. (30.5 × 10.2 × 10.5 cm)
Diameter (Of mouthpiece): 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated
Credit Line: Purchase, Amati Gifts, 2018
Object Number: 2018.75
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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Whistle, Ceramic, polychrome, Paracas — Whistle
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Trumpet, Pottery, polychrome, Teotihuacan — Trumpet
Teotihuacan
ca. 400–700

Pair of Figures, Ceramic, Nayarit — Pair of Figures
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200 BCE–200 CE

Drum, Ceramic, polychrome, Paracas — Drum
Paracas
300–200 BCE

Trumpet, Earthenware, Moche — Trumpet
Moche
ca. 450–800

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