Moche
Portrait head bottle
Moche, 300-500
Scroll
Moche
Portrait head bottle
Moche, 300-500
Physical Qualities
Earthenware, polychrome, 9 1/16 × 5 1/8 in. (23 × 13 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. J. Lee Tailer
Object Number
1934.63.1
The Moche were the only ancient Americans to produce true portraiture. Ceramic sculptural portraits, created for a limited time (ca. A.D. 300-500) in the southern sphere of Moche territory, show male leaders at various life stages. Some exhibit facial paint, scars, or battle wounds. When a young man showed promise in Moche society, a ceramic mold bearing his likeness was created. That mold would be used throughout his life to create his portrait.
The BMA holds two portrait bottles in its collection. This example shows a middle aged individual who wears a simple head cloth, trapezoidal dangle earrings, and black face paint. His nose would have held a gold or copper ornament.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1934; Mrs. J. Lee Tailer ??
Arte Latinoamericano / Latin American Art
"Myths of Ancient Peru," Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1969, cat. no. 23.
H. Doering, "The Art of Old Peru." London: Ernest Benn Ltd., 1924. Page 55.
Markings: spout broken