1972.23.2.McD Ceremonial rod (Peru, Chimú)

This ceremonial rod is claimed to derive from a cache of offerings found on the southern coast of Peru. Despite the reputed recovery from southern Peru, the cached objects reflect principally north coast designs. In this example, the metal sheath of the wooden rod bears a north coast-style crescent-shaped element. If the provenience is accurate, then this demonstrates either the trade of Chimú elite objects or the presence of Chimú populations on the south coast during the Late Horizon (1400-1532 CE), perhaps under Inca imperial rule.

Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes, Label text [1972.23.2.McD; 1972.23.1.McD; 1972.23.4.1.McD; 1972.23.4.2.McD; 1972.23.5.1.McD; 1972.23.5.2.McD], 2015.

Chimú: AAT: 300017316

Peru (nation): TGN: 1000056

silver (metal): AAT: 300011029

copper (metal): AAT: 300011020

wood: AAT:  300011914

sheet metal: AAT: 300223016

metalwork: AAT: 300015336

repoussé: AAT: 300054023

chasing (metalworking): AAT: 300054016

embossing (technique): AAT: 300053826

hammering (metal finishing): AAT: 300054098

Late Horizon Period: AAT: 300017332

sculpture: AAT: 300047090

ceremonial objects: AAT: 300234117

ritual objects: AAT: 300312158

burials: AAT: 300263485

rituals (events): AAT: 300065284

ceremonies: AAT: 300054754

crescent (motif): AAT: 300165510

Until 1972: John Wise Ltd. (John and Nora Wise), New York [1], [2]

From 1972: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., purchased from the above [1], [2], [3], [4]

[1] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated October 6, 1972, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is Letter from Merrill C. Rueppel, Director of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, to Eugene and Margaret McDermott (dated October 10, 1972, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File).

[3] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

[4] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museum. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the Fund.