cuchimilco

Inspired by the ancient Mochica culture of South America, Peruvian artisan Walter Jose Acosta presents this sculpture. Intended as a replica, the sculpture is crafted of ceramic to depict a traditional cuchimilco, characterized by stocky and flat forms. This sculpture depicts a warrior.

Standing with open arms, a cuchimilco couple proudly represent Peru's Chancay culture, which flourished from 1200 to 1470 A.D. Their welcoming posture is believed to keep bad energies at bay. Cuchimilcos are always found in pairs of a man and a woman, symbolic of divine duality. Walter Jose Acosta masters ceramic techniques as he crafts each museum replica figurine by hand.

Standing with open arms, two large cuchimilcos proudly represent Peru's Chancay culture that flourished from 1200 to 1470 A.D. Their welcoming posture is believed to keep bad energies at bay. They are always found in pairs featuring a man and a woman, symbolic of divine duality, a belief held by all pre-Hispanic cultures. Walter Jose Acosta masters ceramic techniques as he crafts each statuette by hand. He expertly replicates the artistic stylizations of the Chancay culture, featuring a large head and small arms extended upwards, resembling wings. The figures are nude except for masks, headdresses and bracelets.

For this pair of traditional cuchimilco sculptures, Peruvian artisan Walter Jose Acosta draws inspiration from the ancient Chancay culture of South America. Crafted of ceramic, the sculptures depict a nude male and female that stand side-by-side, representing the duality of life that the Chancay held in high regard.