Relief carved walls from Chan Chan, the ancient Chimu capital near Trujillo, Peru. 14th -15th century.
© Charles & Josette Lenars/CORBIS
Central and South America
Peru
The museum collection contains some intriguing and fascinating objects reflecting the colourful history of Central and South America. Several ancient Andean cultures are represented in the collection with sandals, shoes and foot-shaped huacos - pottery containers. Many artefacts have a special purpose, such as the Argentinean botas de potro, which are riding boots without seams, Peruvian ladies stirrup with Spanish silver work or Bolivian fighting sandals with metal reinforced pointed toes. However, many of the most treasured Museum pieces come from Pre-Columbian Peru.