Located in the heart of the Andes, between the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon, the region corresponding to present-day Ecuador witnessed a remarkable cultural development in the pre-Hispanic period. Long before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, it was home to a mosaic of societies with diverse traditions, organized in networks of exchange linking the Costa (the coast), the Sierra (the highlands), and the Oriente (the Amazonian region). These populations created an exceptional material culture: finely decorated ceramics, objects crafted from stone, metal, or shell, reflecting both advanced technical skills and deep symbolic meaning. The “Ecuador” collection of the Royal Museums of Art and History comprises over 400 artifacts. Only about twenty items are currently on display in the permanent galleries. Long kept in storage without precise cultural attributions, they have recently been the focus of a study and outreach project.
This temporary exhibition offers an opportunity to present a selection of these remarkable works to the public, sharing the results of this research and highlighting the cultural richness of a lesser-known region of the Andes.
VIRTUAL TOUR: Coming soon.