The sport of wrestling is as old as civilization
itself. Combat without weapons, it pits warrior
against warrior in a test of physical strength and
quick wits. Wrestling contests are depicted on
the walls of Egyptian an Etruscan tombs, on
Greek vases, in Chinese sculptures. The sport is
as popular today as it has been for thousands of
years. This fascinating Chimu vessel depicts two
wrestlers at the start of their battle. It is
uncertain whether wrestling carried a ritual
connotation in Ancient Peru, or merely a sporting
one. Evenly matched, wearing helmets and short
tunics, they stare eye to eye, locked in an
eternally undecided contest. The artist has
created a timeless image of human struggle, a
metaphor for the contest of life.
- (PF.1880)
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