Circular Breast Plate Spondylus shell Nasca Classic Period 1-800 DC
The spondylus seashell, in particular those specimen belonging to the "princeps" variety, due to its range of rose to orange tonalities, captivates the attention of the pre-columbian peoples by whom it was used preferentially in adornments and jewelry at ritual ceremonies of high symbolic content. This breast plate reveals the disposition of the artists to work with individual plates of Spondylus of which he imparts a distinct size and curvature, in order that, when assembled in conjunction, the whole of it would conform a beautiful piece of artistry and craftsmanship such as this one. Beyond the treatment of the shell plates themselves, other substantial elements are constituted by the variety and interplay of colours as well as the volume and dimensions which this breast plate possesses.
Size: 4800px × 3201px
Location: Museo de Arte Precolombino, Cusco, Cusco Province, Peru, South America
Photo credit: © Sabena Jane Blackbird / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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