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Ceramic

Moche Culture, Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD
Moche Culture, Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD
Moche Culture, Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD
Moche Culture, Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD
Moche Culture, Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD
Moche Culture, Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD
Moche Culture, Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD

Moche Culture 100 AD-700 AD

Head Vessel of a Lord, Circa. 400 - 700 AD
Ceramic
16 cm high
6 1/4 in.
571 grams
MOC0009
Copyright of Paul Hughes Fine Arts
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The focal point of the ceramic cup is the intricately modeled male head. The artist's adept hands have meticulously shaped the facial features, capturing the essence of a dignified and...
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The focal point of the ceramic cup is the intricately modeled male head. The artist's adept hands have meticulously shaped the facial features, capturing the essence of a dignified and perhaps even revered individual from Moche society. The facial expressions are skillfully rendered, conveying a sense of identity, emotion, and depth. The cup's surface boasts a smooth yet tactile texture, inviting the observer to explore the contours and details of the sculpted visage.


A notable element of the male head is the headdress that adorns it. The headdress, a symbol of authority and cultural significance, is embellished with geometric patterns that are both visually striking and laden with symbolism. These geometric decorations may represent various aspects of the Moche worldview, such as cosmology, ritual, or social hierarchy. The juxtaposition of the intricate headdress against the serene countenance of the male head creates a captivating interplay between the human and the divine, the everyday and the ceremonial.


The Moche ceramic cup in the form of a male head transcends its utilitarian purpose and emerges as a testament to the Moche people's artistic ingenuity, cultural sophistication, and reverence for symbolism. As one gazes upon this artifact, they are transported back in time to a civilization that held pottery not just as vessels for daily use, but as powerful conduits of expression, identity, and connection to the spiritual realm.

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Publications

See Donnan, C., Moche Portraits from Ancient Peru, University of Texas Press, 2003, for a range of Moche portrait vessels.
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