Vessel in the Form of a Flute-Player Laying atop Rectangle Shape Possibly 1000 - 1400

This ceramic vessel, in the form of a flute player, was created by the Chimú people who flourished on the northern coast of Peru between 900 and 1470 CE. The Chimú culture existed in a stratified society and developed an elaborate irrigation system, which allowed them to cultivate the land in a desert environment. Music held a significant role in Chimú society, accompanying important rituals, celebrations, and daily activities. The figure depicted here lies horizontally atop a rectangular base, seemingly in a relaxed position. The flute player's headdress suggests status and perhaps a connection to religious or ceremonial roles. The dark, burnished surface of the vessel is typical of Chimú pottery. Consider that these vessels were often placed in tombs as offerings to the deceased. What stories might they tell about Chimú beliefs about the afterlife and the role of music in that spiritual transition? Imagine the sound of the flute, not just as entertainment, but as a passage between worlds.