Spoon
Unknown Artist
12th–15th century
Medium
Copper (cast)
Dimensions
Height 4-1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
Classification
Metal-Implements
Culture
Chimú
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Jane Costello Goldberg, from the Collection of Arnold I. Goldberg, 1986
Accession Number
1987.394.413
Art Historical Context
This elegant copper spoon, crafted by an unknown Chimú artist between the 12th and 15th centuries, offers a glimpse into the sophisticated metalworking traditions of ancient Peru's north coast. The Chimú culture, flourishing during Peru's Late Intermediate Period, built the vast adobe city of Chan Chan and excelled in metallurgy, producing intricate objects that blended utility with artistry. Standing at just 4-1/2 inches tall, this implement exemplifies their mastery of casting techniques, likely using the lost-wax method to create a seamless, durable form from copper—a metal abundant in the ...