Page:An Elementary History of Art.djvu/213

 Peruvian and Mexican Sculpture. 183 Peru and Mexico. Of the sculptured figures and groups of the early races of the New World there is little to be said; they are remarkable rather for size than beauty, and consist of rude idols or coarse bas-reliefs on the temples and palaces. The pottery is of a different character ; some of the Mexican and Peruvian ware which has been preserved is well modelled and coloured, and ornamented with peculiar taste. The oldest Peruvian terra-cotta objects are indeed equal to anything of the same age produced in Europe; but glazing was never attempted. Mr. Stephens, the celebrated American traveller, dis- covered a number of vases of various shapes, carved or indented with curious patterns, in the " Tombs of the Incas" in Peru.