hands sculptures

Animals, people and deities come to life on this replica of an ancient huaco, or clay vessel. By Walter Jose Acosta, this ceremonial vessel has two spouts, joined by a curved handle. He works in terracotta, meticulously painting the images by hand. A pre-Inca culture, the Nazca peoples were highly skilled ceramists and their pottery was usually covered with icons of their beliefs and lifestyles.

By Walter Jose Acosta, this huaco, or terracotta vessel is a realistic portrait of a man from Peru's pre-Inca Moche culture. Archaeologists believe these "head portraits" were crafted for ceremonial purposes to guarantee a life after death. They have been found in tombs, and may be a way of identifying the dead as a member of Moche society. Crafted by hand, the vessel is meticulously painted by hand in russet brown on beige.

A captive with hands tied behind his back is guarded by a cat-like personage with human arms and legs. Or perhaps the creature is comforting him. Walter Jose Acosta creates a ceremonial vessel in the style of Peru's pre-Inca Moche people. This enigmatic replica of an ancient huaco, or clay vessel is meticulously crafted of burnished terracotta and painted by hand.