pre hispanic art

Also known as the Andean cross, the chakana is an ancient symbol often seen in Peru's ancient art. It represents the Southern Cross. One of the pre-Hispanic astral symbols that presided over the Andean universe, the chakana symbolizes order in family and community life. It is taken from a constellation of stars forming a square, and represents the universe connected to the centre of the world. It also symbolizes a stairway toward the most high. "For me, the chakana also represents spirituality," Maria Astuhuaman confides. "It serves as a medium of connection between us and the divine." The artisan presents a sterling silver chacana on this black faux leather bracelet.

Also known as the Andean cross, the chakana is an ancient symbol often seen in Peru's ancient art. It represents the Southern Cross. One of the pre-Hispanic astral symbols that presided over the Andean universe, the chakana symbolizes order in family and community life. It is taken from a constellation of stars forming a square, and represents the universe connected to the centre of the world. It also symbolizes a stairway toward the most high. "For me, the chakana also represents spirituality," Maria Astuhuaman confides. "It serves as a medium of connection between us and the divine." The artisan presents a sterling silver chacana in a 10 mm-wide red faux leather bracelet.

Swimming sinuously down a pre-Hispanic river, an ancient fish flaunts fluted gills, bright eyes and a flirty tail. Walter Jose Acosta depicts the beautifully-detailed creature in a ceremonial vessel in the style of Peru's Moche people, who crafted realistic clay portraits of people and animals. This exquisite replica of an ancient huaco, or clay vessel is meticulously crafted of burnished terracotta and painted by hand.

Paddling serenely across a pre-Hispanic lake, an ancient duck is frozen en time, the moment preserved for eternity. Walter Jose Acosta depicts the beautiful bird in a ceremonial vessel in the style of Peru's Moche people, who crafted realistic clay portraits of people and animals. This exquisite replica of an ancient huaco, or clay vessel is meticulously crafted of burnished terracotta and painted by hand.

Peering out from the pre-Hispanic past, an ancient owl is ever watchful, its talons ready for its winged nocturnal hunt. Walter Jose Acosta depicts the handsome bird in a ceremonial vessel in the style of Peru's Moche people, who crafted realistic clay portraits of people and animals. This exquisite replica of an ancient huaco, or clay vessel is meticulously crafted of burnished terracotta and painted by hand.