Although it looks like two materials, this pot was crafted from a single lump of gold-silver-copper alloy. The artist then worked the surface to create the look of silver and gold. Where the two meet is the important part. It symbolises the balance that’s a key part of Chimú thinking – the coming together of opposing yet complementary forces. Gold represents the sun, daytime, the dry season and maleness. Silver represents the moon, night-time, the rainy season and femaleness.
For the settled communities of the region, cycles, duality and balance were incredibly important.
Rafael Larco Hoyle, museum’s founder was an archaeologist with an interest in the pre-Colonial civilisations of Peru, part of the cradle of civilisation that existed way before the Incas.
Image: With thanks to Museo Larco – Lima, Perú