Anthropomorphic female figure ·  Peru, Chancay · ID: 3038359

Description

light wood, both hands up to the chin (mourning gesture?), accentuation of the female gender, flat backside, slightly dam., cracks, base;
wooden figurines of Chancay culture mostly depict females. In any case they can be looked upon as “idols”, while their meaning as burial object remains unclear. A function as guardian figure would be possible, substitutional for a female relative for example, but as wearer of ritual important sacrificial textiles as well.

Comparing literature

Hoffmann, Ulrich (Hg.), Frauen des alten Amerika in Kult und Alltag, Stuttgart 2001, p. 101