Mummy bundle mask

Chancay culture, Pre-Columbian Peru

9 inches, painted wood

The Chancay dead were buried in a seated position, bundled in layers of textiles and accompanied by offerings of ceramics, garments, featherwork, precious metals and wood. A mask or false head was placed over the mummy bundle. The mummy was wrapped tightly in a fetal position and this mask was inserted on a longer post which was likely cut or eroded off.

The Chancay culture dates from about 1000-1400 AD and was located on the central coast of Peru, south of the Chimu culture. Burials discovered up and down the arid coast of Peru indicate that graves with elaborate offerings were common among several ancient cultures. Even artifacts made of wood and textile are often found in remarkable condition due to the consistently dry climate.

The surface on this example still has most of its original pigment, but was broken in half a long time ago and glued together at a later date. What’s nice about this particular mask is the fine expression and the bright color. These faces are often cold and expressionless. Red was favored by the Chancay. This pigment was probably made from Cochineal, a precious dyestuff obtained not from a plant, but from an insect.

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