Double-bodied huaco from the Chimú culture; Peru, 11th–15th centuries

Double-bodied huaco from the Chimú culture; Peru, 11th–15th centuries.
Ceramic.
Measurements: 17.5 x 21 x 8 cm.
Provenance: Family legacy of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Archaeological collection formed from the 1950s by successive generations of the family, through acquisitions in European galleries and auction houses.

Double-bodied huaco with a stirrup handle, decorated with animal figures in relief.
The Chimú culture emerged on the northern coast of Peru following the fall of the Huari Empire, between the years 1000 and 1200. It is believed that its origins lie in the cultural fusion of the Mochica and Lambayeque peoples, although the Chimú based the founding of their civilization on a myth. This myth recounts that ships arrived across the sea to bring order to the kingdom, led by the god Tacaynamo, who ruled the peoples of the Peruvian coast until his death. This culture excelled particularly in urban planning, as evidenced by its formidable structures, and also developed a significant textile industry, pottery, and advanced metallurgical techniques.