Double Vessel Representing a Funeral Procession Possibly 1200 - 1450

This double vessel, representing a funeral procession, was created by the Chimú-Inca people using molded clay. The surface of the clay is smooth, with subtle variations in texture that show the hand of the maker. The two figures, each standing on a bulbous base, carry a body on their shoulders. The color of the clay varies slightly across the object, suggesting different firing conditions or the use of different clay sources. The figures are depicted with a degree of naturalism, their faces and bodies carefully rendered to convey a sense of solemnity. The use of clay as a medium is significant, as it connects this work to a long tradition of ceramic art in the Americas, where clay was used to create both utilitarian objects and works of high symbolic value. The creation of this vessel would have required considerable skill and labor, from the initial gathering and preparation of the clay to the final firing and finishing of the piece. By focusing on materials and processes, we can appreciate the ingenuity and cultural significance embedded in this remarkable work of art.