2-734-558 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Male Figurine, 1400-1532. Precious metal was a major Inka artistic medium, but most was melted down after the conquest to fund the Spanish court. The sole remains are small-scale objects from tombs and offerings. Figurines like this have been found at shrines on sacred mountain peaks, where they accompanied child sacrifices in offerings made during times of crisis, such as famine.