Incan Gold and Chicha Beer - Meaningful Materials (80)

http://ancientartpodcast.org/80

How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of gold in Incan art and culture. We also discuss the traditional Andean corn beer called "chicha."

Features Works of Art:

Beaker

Inca, Ica Valley, south coast, Peru

Late 15th/early 16th century

Gold

16.5 x 6.4 cm (6 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.)


Art Institute of Chicago, Kate S. Buckingham Endowment, 1955.2587

Pair of Beakers Depicting Birds in a Cornfield

Inca, Ica Valley, south coast, Peru

A.D. 1100/1438

Gold

Each 7 x 7.3 cm (2 3/4 x 2 7/8 in.)


Art Institute of Chicago, Kate S. Buckingham Endowment, 1955.2589 a-b

Ceremonial Vessel (Aryballos)

Inca, Probably vicinity of Cuzco, Peru

1400/1532

Ceramic and pigment

78 x 49 cm (30 3/4 x 19 1/4 in.) (max.)


Art Institute of Chicago, Kate S. Buckingham Endowment, 1955.2214

Ritual Vessel Representing a Woman Carrying a Vessel (Aryballos) and Nursing a Child

Chimú-Inca, Lambayeque Valley, north coast, Peru

A.D. 1200/1450

Ceramic and pigment

23.9 x 18.4 cm (9 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.)


Art Institute of Chicago, Kate S. Buckingham Endowment, 1955.2411

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