New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-12

In clay. a small nearly spherical, vessel is
decorated TO resemble a skull a semblance of
d lace being wrought the front and the
''"ies OF human Uranium being indicated by
Noioleu hies on the back. Then there were
"iisohhg Jars, small clay bottles made in
pairs and provided with whistles that became
audible when the receptacles We're moved to and
fro in certain manner
Moulds have been found which were enonloxaa
by the old Peruvians in giving to plastic ma
terlal the forms of birds, monkeys and men
mus simplifying the task of manufacture
HoOsequeit carving and stamping seem TO have
been necessary at times to complete the article
made.
Although the old Peruvians decorated their
pottery 10y painting and sculpture there is req
son TO believe that they resorted to a hot poker
or some other branding instrument 10 exacu,o
designs on less durable material A vessel made
from gourds and adorned 10y burning is to he
found in the Gaffron collection
class of objects which Were common among
the Kechuas were tiny images which served as
ceities. These Were not the subjects of Uorsbin
on stated occasions, but had much the value of
charms against special maladies or danger
When the possessOr died they were buried with
him.
The hechuas prepared their dead for burial
without chemicals. The air Of the country was
dry enc ugh to preserve a body without such aid
ii shrank, but did not decay The body was
arranged in a sitting posture, with the knees
and hands drawn up TO the chin. Several layers
OF cloth Were wound around il. and these were
fastened with sort OF network with plain
cord. A painted carved mask or false
head" was placed over the face A necklace OF
beads or jewelry often encircled the neck \
mans deities, articles used 10y him in life and
food We're also placed beside him or attached TO
his outer wrapping. Corn in the ear beans and
cocoa were commonly provided. That tattooing
was sometimes practised among the Kechuas is
evident from The marks still remaining on the
Of mummes
SKILLED IN METAL. WORK
This nation was skilled in working up the
precious metals into all sorts OF useful and
ornamental objects. They made elaborate neck
laces, bracelets, tweezers and articles whose use
cannot be readily surmised. They hammered
silver out into thin films and into hollow ware.
The Peruvian collection includes many sIeci-
mems Of repoussee work. Then there is a battle
axe whose handle is overlaid with silver the
plate being held il place by tacks. Some OF the
battle axes have bronze blades, although the
bronze is suspected Of being natural alloy,
and not an artificial enc.
The war clubs and battle axes recently ac-
quired by the Museum are especially valuable
because they have hafts CT handles. which is
rare. Some OF these weapons have SlX-pDiutrd
heads. And il is possible to identify their work
in the Derforatons OF warriors skulls.
An assortment q musical instruments mostly
cane and bone flutes, is a feature Of the collec-
ton. These emit sounds Of The piercing
description, bat they do not correspond to the
scales OF the modern musician. One Of the de-
vices is a bunch of iridescent shells, which are
doubtless intended for castanets They
pretty enough for Carmen but it is doubtful
whether CalVe could manipulate them without
q good deal Of practice.
The Museum already had a great deal of
Sosth American material which arranged
last fall for exhibition in the extreme end of the
west wing on the second floor. a large part OF
the material there the gift OF Henry Willard,
and was collected 10y DR.. A. f. Bandeer An
other part was picked up 10y expedition under
the Museums own auspices. The Gaffron ma
terial, now being arranged temporarily on the
south side OF the han, is a valuable addition TO
this department.