MIRROR

Chavín Culture, Peru

1000 - 200 BC

Black anthracite

H.: 18; L.: 19; Thickness: 5.5 cm

Circular mirror in black anthracite cut and polished to reflect. Its edges are wide and thick, its hollowed out reverse is left raw.

This particular object refers to the importance of underground galleries in the Chavín culture. Indeed, light was made possible in these dark corridors thanks to a set of cleverly arranged mirrors. These multiple reflections also allowed the priests to intensify the initiatory experience of pilgrims during a rite by combining sound effects – with the help of pututu, with visuals.

Bibliography: a similar copy is kept at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in Santiago de Chile

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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