Rectangular Costume Ornaments with Geometric Motifs Possibly 1000 - 1450

These Rectangular Costume Ornaments with Geometric Motifs were created by the Chimú people. Each square has a unique cutout pattern which gives a visually stimulating impression. The copper rectangular ornaments are arranged on a plain textile, drawing the eye to the intricate patterns within each copper plate. The geometric motifs suggest a deeper symbolic language. The repeated zigzag lines may represent water, a vital element in the desert environment of the Chimú civilization. The arrangement on the cloth, while seemingly random, imposes a structure that invites us to decode its underlying logic. Notice how the play of positive and negative space within each ornament creates a dynamic tension. The cutouts not only define shapes but also allow the background textile to become part of the design, challenging our perception of figure and ground. These ornaments function as more than mere decoration; they are sophisticated visual statements, encoding cultural values and beliefs within their geometric forms.