Object Image

Face Beaker

Beakers with human faces on one side made of precious metals were worked in Peru from about the ninth to the early sixteenth century. Those with pronounced noses, resembling bird beaks, are said to have been found in many parts along the Central and South Coasts. Because none were excavated by archaeologists, their cultural attribution is uncertain. In the literature they are variously called Chimú, Chincha, Ica, and Inca. The more naturalistic rendering of the facial features on Chimú beakers, particularly the eyes and noses, would argue against their attribution to that culture.

The beakers were made in different sizes, from two to sixteen inches in height. Some are straight-sided, while oth...

14th-16th century
Silver
16.5cm
1987.394.318
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

Where you'll find this

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection