
<p>Felines have been a prominent and recurring feature of ancient Andean art for millennia. Examples like this blackware vessel have been identified as representing pumas—the largest predator in this mountainous habitat. These fierce hunters became symbols of power within many societies. As numerous works in this gallery show, makers often portrayed authoritative human figures and divine beings with feline attributes like fangs, claws, and whiskers.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1100
- Medium
- Ceramic
- Dimensions
- 25.7 × 24.9 cm (10 1/8 × 9 13/16 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
More
More by this artist
Fragment
1470 · Plain weave of paired warps with supplementary patterning and brocading wefts and supplementary patterning warps. Attched plain weave border and weft fringe.
Tunic
1470 · Cotton, plain weave; painted; applied metal ornaments
Loincloth Panel
1250 · Cotton and camelid wool, slit tapestry weave; edged with plain weave extended weft cut fringe
Loincloth Panel
1250 · Cotton and wool (camelid), slit tapestry weave; edged with plain weave extended weft cut fringe
Fragment (Loincloth)
1250 · Cotton and wool (camelid), slit tapestry weave; edged with plain weave extended weft cut fringe
Fragment (Loincloth)
1250 · Cotton and wool (camelid), slit tapestry weave; edged with plain weave extended weft cut fringe
Record
Verified by WattsOSSource
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified
Explore
More Ceramic works →




