Skip to Content

Chupicuaro

Showing 23 of 30


Print this page

Chupicuaro does not have an image.


Chupicuaro
Late Pre-Classic
Mexican, (400 BCE–600 CE)
The name Chupícuaro can be translated as blue place. The name derives from the Purépecha language word "chupicua", a name for the "Ipomoea" plant, used for blue dye, and the term "ro", place.

Chupícuaro was a major ceramic center, recognized as one of the best in Mesoamerica for the fine ceramic finishing and decoration, which were developed in multiple shapes and colors, some with geometrical drawings. The motifs were deities, maternity, breastfeeding, people and their ornaments, animals and plants. Ceramics included multiple monochromatic forms and a variety of three-color polychrome (red, beige and black) with pyramidal geometrical drawings or zig-zags. Clay figurines used “pastillaje [es]” techniques and made hollow figures. Shell, bone and stone were used. From a study of ceramic styles, the clothing used is inferred, they painted their faces and bodies, wore sandals, truss, necklaces, earflaps, and earrings. Women wore elaborate hairstyles.


Artist Objects

Your current search criteria is: Exhibition is "Ancient Americas in a New Light".