Who created "Funerary Staff"?

Funerary Staff was created by Inca artist(s) in 15th–16th century.

When was "Funerary Staff" created?

This artwork was created 15th–16th century.

What medium is "Funerary Staff"?

Funerary Staff is Wood, paint, metal, copper.

Is "Funerary Staff" in the public domain?

Yes, Funerary Staff is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Funerary Staff

Inca artist(s)

15th–16th century

Medium

Wood, paint, metal, copper

Dimensions

H. 66 1/4 x W. 1 1/8 x D. 1/2 in. (168.3 x 2.8 x 1.3 cm)

Classification

Wood-Sculpture

Culture

Inca

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979

Accession Number

1979.206.1032

Art Historical Context

This exquisite Funerary Staff, crafted by Inca artist(s) in the 15th–16th century, stands as a poignant artifact from the height of the Inca Empire in Andes. Measuring over five feet tall, it was likely used in ritual processions or to accompany high-status burials, reflecting the Inca's profound reverence for ancestors and the afterlife. Such staffs symbolized authority and spiritual power, often carried by nobles or priests during ceremonies honoring the dead. Carved from wood and adorned with vibrant paints, metal accents, and copper elements, the staff showcases the Inca mastery of divers...

Funerary Staff

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