Cupisnique

pre-Inca pottery style

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

The Cupisnique style refers to a pre-Inca culture and pottery style found in the coastal section of ancient Peru. This style is associated with the Chavín culture and dates to the Early Intermediate Period, approximately 200 BCE to 600 CE.123

Cupisnique pottery is known for its distinctive characteristics, often featuring monochrome colors like dull red, brown, or gray. Vessels were typically massive and heavy, with common forms including open bowls and stirrup-spouted bottles. Some Cupisnique vessels were modeled into the shapes of human beings, animals, or fruits, marking the beginning of a tradition of naturalistic modeling on the north coast of Peru. This style is related to other pre-Columbian cultures in the region, such as Recuay and Moche.425

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

pre-Columbian civilizations
The pottery of Chavín and Paracas
…coast, where it is called Cupisnique. Until the end of the period, the ware was monochrome—dull red, brown, or gray—and hard and stonelike. Vessels were massive and heavy, especially in the early part of the period. The main forms are open bowls with vertical or slightly expanding sides and flat…
Read More
…coast, where it is called Cupisnique. Until the end of the period, the ware was monochrome—dull red, brown, or gray—and hard and stonelike. Vessels were massive and heavy, especially in the early part of the period. The main forms are open bowls with vertical or slightly expanding sides and flat…
Read More