Here is Yukiko’s original floral bouquet to the Peruvian antiquity known by the lengthy title “Male Shrine Figure, Peru, Chimu Culture 12 – 15th Century.”
Peruvian archaeologists have a much longer story to go with this Shrine Figure of algarroba wood and red cinnabar. The de Young tells it this way:
“Male and female shrine figures [have] been unearthed in the palace compounds and monumental burial platforms of Chan Chan, the capital of the vast Chimu Empire. The number of these figures at royal sites indicates that they must have been important. Archaeologists believe that these figures accompanied the kings of Chimu in ceremonial processions that took place either during their lifetime or at their death…
“…The figures…wear varied headdresses that correspond to the headdresses worn by ceramic figures on Chimu vessels. This figure may be holding a flute between its hands, poised as if ready to play a melody. The geometric patterns found in the figure’s headdress, necklace and earplugs, and zig-zag loincloth are similar to the geometric patterns found on the bold architectural relief of Chan Chan.”
Closeup, high resolution images of this shrine figure are shown in the FAMSF image base.
This year’s Bouquets to Art, April 20–24, is featured on its own website.
