Plate Depicting Hummingbird in Interior, Broken and Partially Repaired c. 180 - 500

This plate depicting a hummingbird was created by the Nazca people, its production rooted in the arid valleys of ancient Peru. The Nazca civilization, flourishing between 100 BCE and 800 CE, left behind a world rich in symbolism and deeply connected to their environment. This plate, adorned with a hummingbird, speaks to the Nazca’s profound understanding of the natural world. Hummingbirds, with their unique ability to hover and their association with fertility and life, held a place of honor. Their depiction on ceramics suggests a connection between the earthly and the divine. Looking at the plate, you can see where it has been broken and partially repaired. These fractures and mends tell their own story of resilience, mirroring the enduring spirit of the Nazca people. The mended plate suggests that despite the cracks and breaks, there is an inherent value.