Hunchback Vessel (Aryballos)
Unknown Artist
1470–1521 (Thermoluminescence date, 1315–1615)
Medium
ceramic
Dimensions
18.5 × 15.5 × 12.5 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Art of the Americas
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of William R. Ott in memory of his wife, Carol E. Ott
Accession Number
2015.69
About this artwork
This handsome vessel, along with the nearby double-chambered vessel, were made on the north coast after the Inka conquered the Chimú in the 1460s. Under Inka rule, many aspects of Chimú ceramic technology continued but new forms and subjects were introduced, such as the aryballos, a classic Inka vessel type. This example takes the form of a hunchback and may refer to the Inka predilection for employing hunchbacks as royal servants.