Who created "Funerary Staffs"?

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

When was "Funerary Staffs" created?

This artwork was created 15th–16th century.

What medium is "Funerary Staffs"?

Funerary Staffs is Wood, paint, metal.

Is "Funerary Staffs" in the public domain?

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

Funerary Staffs

Inca artist(s)

15th–16th century

Medium

Wood, paint, metal

Dimensions

H. 51 x W. 2 7/8 x D. 5/8 in. (129.5 x 7.3 x 1.6 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

1979.206.1030

Tags

Birds

Art Historical Context

These elegant *Funerary Staffs*, crafted by Inca artists in the 15th–16th century, exemplify the sophisticated wood sculpture of the Inca Empire at its zenith. Standing over four feet tall and slender as a staff (H. 51 x W. 2 7/8 x D. 5/8 in.), they are carved from wood, vividly painted, and adorned with metal elements—likely gold or silver alloys prized in Inca metallurgy. Delicate bird motifs, a recurring tag in this piece, evoke the spiritual realm, as birds held profound symbolic power in Andean cosmology, often representing messengers between worlds or divine ancestors. Produced during t...

Funerary Staffs

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