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Backrest of a Litter
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This rare, dramatic object served as the back support of a litter carried by human porters, a mode of transport reserved for honored members of many societies without draft animals or wheeled vehicles. The simple, bold figures—perhaps a Chimú lord and four officials—all wear wide collars, tunics, and crescent headdresses that are either brightly painted or covered with golden but now-corroded sheet metal. The holes at the bottom probably served as lashing points for a beam that supported the litter's seat.
| Artist / Maker | Central Andes, North Coast, Chimú people, late Intermediate period |
|---|---|
| Date | 1185–1275 (radiocarbon date, 95.4% probability) |
| Culture / Origin | Central Andes, North Coast, Chimú people, late Intermediate period |
| Medium | mixed media: wood, gold alloy, pigment, shell inlay |
| Dimensions | Overall: 60.4 x 95 cm (23 3/4 x 37 3/8 in.) |
| Department | Art of the Americas |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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