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Portrait Head Vessel
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit linePortrait Head Vessel, c. 200–550 CE. Peru, North Coast, Moche style. Earthenware with colored slips; overall: 32 x 18.6 x 19.3 cm (12 5/8 x 7 5/16 x 7 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener, 1990.227
