Orlando Museum of Art features ancient American art
SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
The Aztec-to-Zapotec exhibit of Pre-Columbian art at the Orlando Museum of Art displays pieces from a variety of North, Central and South American cultures, grouping them by style and function rather than place of origin.
SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
This ceramic vessell, produced by the Moche culture, Peru, dates to 450-550 A.D. and probably represents a specific person, perhaps a high-ranking individual based on the jaguar headdress.
SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
The gold nose piece wouod have been worn hooked inside the nose, with the thin gold dangler tubes draped across the mouth. Produced by the Calima culture, Colombia, and dated to A.D. 1-800, the jewelry was made out of thin sheets of hammered gold with embossed designs.
SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
A pot from the Maya culture in the Ulua Valley, Honduras, depicts a mythical bird; the black background indicates the scene is set in the Mayan underworld. It dates from the Maya Classic Period, A.D. 550-900.
SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
This exquisite tripod polychrome vessel was produced by the Chorotega people, who fled Mexico into Central America around 500 A.D. This piece, from Guanacaste, Costa Rica, depicts a snarling jaguar appearing to leap out of the pot. Slits in the legs may have been used to insert pebbles to turn the vessel into a rattle.
SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
The Nazca culture from the southern coast of Peru is known for creating giant line images, or "geoglyphs," visible from the air; but it also produced delicate pottery such as this ceramid drinking vessel in the shape of a fish. The piece dates from A.D. 200-500.
SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
The Xoloitzcuintli, a breed of Mexican hairless dog still raised today, dates from more than 3,000 years ago. This vessel, from Colima, Mexico and dating to A.D. 100-155, was once part of a burial offering. This iconic dog was the most popular subject of early Colima art and the "Xolo" is now the official dog of Mexico.
By SUSAN E. HOFFMAN
Staff Writer
When we think of classical civilizations, the Americas rarely come to mind. Yet stretching from Mexico through Central America and into the Andes were exceptionally rich cultures, rivaling any from Europe, Asia and Africa.
In its current exhibit, “From Aztec to Zapotec II,” the Orlando Museum of Art shows off some of its exquisite collections from the Americas, highlighting how advanced, resourceful and varied these cultures were. Spanning over 3,000 years, the more than 180 pieces represent the artisans’ skills in pottery, stone, textiles and precious metals.
