Blackware Jar with Single Spout Possibly 1200 - 1450

This Blackware Jar with Single Spout was made by the Chimú people, using clay. The black color wasn't achieved with paint, but by controlling the firing process, so that the oxygen was restricted; a technique known as reduction firing. The Chimú were master potters. They mass-produced pottery using molds, which suggests a highly organized workshop system. These weren't individual works of art, but rather, the result of collective labor. The jar’s surface is smooth and polished, with subtle variations and imperfections from the firing process. Two small loop handles are placed near the top of the vessel, just below the spout. The Chimú civilization was eventually conquered by the Inca, who were deeply impressed with their craftsmanship. Although this jar appears simple, it represents an important chapter in the history of Peruvian art and industry, when the act of making pottery was a crucial means of cultural expression and economic activity.