National Museum, New Delhi

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Curatorial Corner
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Pre-Columbian and Western Art

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

The collection of Pre Columbian art donated by Mr & Mrs Heeramaneek represents the principal cultures of the Pre- Columbian world. An exquisite collection of artefacts from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and other regions of South America are a part of the National Museum collection.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Male Portrait pot 67.246 Terracotta Peru 200-700 CE Ht.- 16.5, B- 16 c.m This is open mouthed terracotta vessel. It has naturalistic, three-dimensional rendering of individual facial features. Portrait jars were placed in graves as ritualistic offerings. This vessel has natural brown colour for features and details are incised and painted in reddish brown and buff slips with a painted pattern in the centre.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Small jar in the form of a cat 67.289 Terracotta Peru Ht. 11.5, L- 17.7 c.m A spouted jar in with bridged handle in the form of a cat like animal looking upward. Dark reddish and cream coloured paint on the body.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Painted tripod bowl Acc. No. 67.420 Terracotta Mexico 1200-1521 C.E Ht.13.7, Dia. 18.2 C.m A tripod bowl with painted decoration in white against red ground on the outer surface. This kind of bowl was likely to be used for ceremonial offering of items, or was used only on special occasions.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Green stone yoke 67.435 Stone Mexico 500-900 CE Ht. - 10.2 x 27.5 cm.; L. -39.5 cm Green stone yoke in the form of a great stylised puma with a human head in its mouth. The U shaped greenish stone, carved in the form of a jaguar, with nostrils, mouth and eyes on front part, holding human head in its jaws, stylised body and legs and feet extending on either side. It is generally supposed that they represent in bells worn by the players of the ceremonial ball games.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Terracotta Human head 67.467 Terracotta Mexico 500-900 C.E. Ht.- 19.3 c.m Large human head with a spiked head dress held by a strap.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Corn-God 67.565 Silver Peru Ht.-7.9 cm. Weight : 225.6 gr. Solid cast silver male figure standing ona circular base. holding an ear of corn, with both hands bent at the elbow. the cheeks and nose are prominent: two concentric circles serve as eyes. the head dress consists of corn leaves: fruits and vegetables are attached to the costume. The figure falls into the 60 category known as the "God of Glyph". this god can also be identified as Piteo Cozobi, the God of Abundant sustenance, Lord of the fields of Maize.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Crown 67.572 Gold Peru 1400-1532 CE Ht.-20.7 cm., Dia-37.3 cm., Weight with perspex mount 430.200 gram Gold crown consisting of a circular band with double row of tiny holes. There is a tall egret flaring at top. The egret has three heads of priests embossed on it, and it culminates in four division on top. This depiction of the figures of priests is probably an indication that the Inca kings combined in in their kingship the two offices of heads of administration and religion.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Serpent Effigy Jar 67.421 Terracotta Mexico 1200-1500 C.E Ht. - 19.6 c.m; Dia. - 15.5 c.m.; Head projecting -6.3 c.m. Serpent Effigy Jar with black squares painted against orange ground. The serpent head is modelled in high relief, coils of body is in low relief, yellowish brown slip, painted in black, white, dark brown in abstract patterns and interior painted reddish brown.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Wooden feast bowl 71.471 Wood United States of America 500-900 CE 20 c.m This kind of wooden bowl were hand carved by the Haida community of North west coast of America. They were ceremonial and ritualistic vessels.

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Seated Virgin and Child L.670 Stone France 1330th - 1350th Century CE 70 x 31.5 c.m Poly chrome stone seated virgin figure is crowned and the child, half standing on her left knee takes a prayer book from her right hand.

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Art and Research

Pre-Columbian and Western Art

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection

Pre-Columbian and Western Art Collection