Framing Peruvian "Huacas" from the Chimu Culture

   We have a long time customer that always brings in interesting things to frame. She reminded us that we've framed original oil paintings, Australian Aborigine songline paintings, etchings, and watercolors. We always have a great time discussing design and like all of our customers, focus on creating something special that they will love for years to come. Recently, she brought in two ceramic pieces from Peru called  "Huacas". One is a Ceremonial Burial Jar and the other a representation of an Entity or human like Character. She was kind enough to share her story with us and we're excited to share it with you!

 

















   I would like to explain a little background on these pieces. These particular pieces are at least 450 years old. The general name for these are called Chimu ceramics from the Chimu culture in Chan Chan, Peru.  They serve two functions. They are containers for daily domestic use and others made for ceremonial use for offerings and burials. The main features of Chimu ceramics were small sculptures molded as animals, fruits, characters, and mystical entities. And unlike the Incas who worshiped the Sun, they worshiped the Moon.

      These magnificent little pieces were given to our customer after her fathers death in 2003. She was motivated to travel to Peru in 1985 after she heard him speak of the time he visited in the 1920's. He had brought them to the United States after he was hired as an engineer to work on the copper mine in La Oroya. They predict that it most likely came from the Chimu culture which centered near the present day city of Trujillo. Once he was home, he offered them to the UCLA Anthropology Department in the 1990's. He was told there was no need for them so he decided to keep them, and they were later passed onto her. She mentioned that until we framed them, they remained wrapped in a couple of old pillowcases. Now the "Huacas" are beautifully displayed at her home in Colorado.

     These pieces were framed with a moulding called Foundry Float Iron from Larson Juhl. We then floated the pieces onto a beautiful fabric called Bonsai Brown Tatimi. We hand wrapped the backing and side liner. It is propped up on a tiny piece of foamcore and neatly wrapped with the fabric. It is held by manipulated crystal clear acrylic to hold it into place so that we do not damage the piece by any adhesive or damaging mounting. We then protected it with a crystal clear Plexi box to showcase the piece and it can be seen from many angles.

     Thank you for reading and we have many more stories to share. If there is something special in your home that is tucked away, we would love to help you showcase it!

Click the link here to learn more about where these came from. The photo is from the site.