Ancient Americas

Objects from Andean and other Indigenous American cultures dating from before European contact

Central to the Palmer Museum of Art’s holdings of art from ancient America are a group of vessels representing a number of Andean cultures (Chavin, Moche, Recuay, Nasca, Lambayeque, Chimú, Chancay, among others) and spanning 2,000 years of the pre-colonial period in the Americas. Also important to the collection are a number of small clay figurines from unknown ancient Mexican cultures and a pair of Mayan limestone columns.

Artist unknown, Andean, Wari culture, Vessel in the Form of a Standing Jaguar, c. 700–1100 C.E., earthenware, 10-1/4 x 10-1/4 inches. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Kehl Markley, 75.26