exhibitions > recent: Of Land, Sea, and Sky Animals in the Art of the Ancient Americas Introduction  |  Thumbnails  |  Long Descriptions: previous | next
	Applique in thr form of a Bird in flight Chimu, Peru Gold repousse 1000-1460 AD H: 1.25 in. (3.175 cm), W: 1.4 in. (3.556 cm) This energetic depiction of a bird in flight with wings raised and tallons grasping, typifies the adoption of animal imagery in pre-Columbian art of Peru. This is true especially in the later empires of the Chimu and the Nazca, where use of animal imagery to symbolize the power of the state produced decorative propaganda, in effect. Precious metals would usually have been worn by the most important people in Chimu society. The Chimu kingdom (900-1400 AD) occupied seven hundred square miles on the north coast of Peru and is known for its exquisite metal work. Introduction  |  Thumbnails  |  Long Descriptions: previous | next
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