Portrait Head  Vessel

Cleveland Museum of Art

Portrait Head Vessel

Date
c. 200–550 CE
Medium
earthenware with colored slips
Culture
Peru, North Coast, Moche style
Department
Art of the Americas
Institution
Cleveland Museum of Art

The Moche were unique in ancient Peru in creating realistic human portraits, usually in the form of ceramic vessels. In general, such vessels represent more than 750 individuals; identities are unclear but most are elite men, some probably rulers. The stirrup-shaped spout is a hallmark of Moche ceramic production.

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