CHIMÚ CERAMICS: CHARACTERISTICS AND HISTORY - HISTORY - 2025

The Chimu ceramics is one of the main types of art made by Native Americans of the same name. Chimú was a pre-Inca culture that lived between 900 and 1300 in what is now a territory known as Peru.

Iconography and form are the most prominent aspects in Chimú art, but when it comes to ceramics, it also stands out for its unusual hues.

History

As in other contemporary cultures, ceramics emerged in the Chimú for functional purposes.

The vessels were used in their burials and spiritual ceremonies. This was followed by the domestic use of ceramic works. There are influences from cultures that preceded them and which they fought in conflict, especially Mochicas and Lambayeques.

From the group of the first they inherited realism, although to a lesser degree. This because it was a larger society and therefore the artisans had to work more, lowering the "quality" of their product.

Through ceramic art they tell the story of how their culture was divided hierarchically every time. The Chimú culture disappeared at the hands of the Incas, who defeated them in battle.

Today his art is found in various museums in Peru and Spain, the most representative being the Museum of America, located in Madrid.

Characteristics of Chimú ceramics

- Color

The most striking element of Chimú ceramics is its glossy black color, unusual in works made of clay and clay. To achieve this, they used a smoking technique, which they applied after having polished the pieces.

However, artists of the time also made pieces with brown and reddish tones, colors typical of their raw material, clay and clay. Likewise, especially in the Chimú settlement located in the Moche Valley, pieces with light colors were found.

In some special vessels for ceremonies you can see ornaments and details painted in light tones and bright colors.

- Iconography

The realism of their works stands out, in which they portrayed human figures, animals, fruits, mythological elements and to a lesser extent utensils such as spears, ceremonial daggers and agricultural tools.

Human figures

Basically representations of the activities of the daily life of the Chimú man.

Sowing and harvesting are very present, as well as erotic portraits, which represent the only appearance of the indigenous woman, with the exception of a smaller number of works that portray the Chimú family.

An important compendium of works is distinguished that stand out for their level of detail, they show warriors, priests and chiefs; with weapons and ceremonial elements in their hands. For this reason it is believed that the Chimú were a culture with a clear class division.

Fruits

These ceramic vessels were a cult of agriculture and a constant request to the gods for water, since the characteristics of the soil and the water resource were scarce.

Pumpkins, plums and guanabas are by far the most portrayed and sculpted fruits. Beyond being present in the Chimú diet, the special emphasis on these fruits is unknown.

Animals

The most constant mammals are llamas, cats, and monkeys; all animals from habitats far from the coast, which is at least curious, since the Chimú mostly inhabited coastal regions.

They also made representations of birds, fish, and other sea creatures.

Mythology

Moon and Sun were his most present gods, but it is not easy to appreciate a clear appearance. The presence of anthropomorphism and the adhesion of other totems make this task difficult.

- Shape

The vessels were mostly globular, a form that gave them a larger surface area to better express themselves through low relief.

Likewise, they had a handle mainly located at the top, and a neck or beak.

Bibliography

1. Dillehay, T., & Netherly, PJ (1998). The Border of the Inca State. Quito: Editorial Abya Yala.
2. National Institute of Culture (Peru). (1985). Magazine of the National Museum. Lima: National Institute of Culture.
3. Martínez de la Torre, MC (1988). Iconographic themes of Chimú ceramics. Madrid: National University of Distance Education.
4. Martínez, C. (1986). North Peruvian Pre-Hispanic Ceramics: Study of Chimú Ceramics from the Collection of the Museum of America in Madrid, Part 2. Madrid: BAR
5. Oliden Sevillano, CR (1991). Chimú pottery in Huaca Verde. Trujillo: National University of Trujillo.