Female Figurine Possibly 1450 - 1532

This silver female figurine was made by an Inca artist sometime between 1400 and 1533. The Incas were master metalworkers who created an abundance of religious and status objects for the elite. The Incas believed that precious metals were tied to deities. Silver was associated with the moon and was thought to represent feminine power. This figure’s dress and posture likely held symbolic value as well. We can look to colonial period documents of the time, written by missionaries and other chroniclers, for clues about Inca customs and beliefs. The Incas had no writing system of their own. The fact that this object resides in the Art Institute tells its own story. It testifies to the enduring power of the Inca Empire and their artistry, as well as to our own culture's inclination to collect and display the art of other civilizations.