Vessel in the Form of a Portrait Head

Culture: Moche
Period: Early Intermediate period, c.200 BCE–600 CE
Date: c.400–600
Material: Ceramic with pigment
made in: Peru, South America
Classification: Ceramics, containers
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 12 5/8 x 11 7/16 x 9 1/16 in. (32 x 29 x 23 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Morton D. May
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 216:1978

NOTES

This large vessel likely represents a captive who, like many Moche prisoner figures, has a central wedge-shaped lock of hair. The individual wears a double set of gold discs suspended from the ears by wire loops. Faint traces of pigment can still be seen around the figure’s cheeks, representing face paint. The Moche are noted for their prolific use of realistic imagery, especially in ceramic portrait heads. Moche artists skillfully captured the facial features of specific individuals and instilled a lifelike quality in each portrait.

Provenance

- 1964
Carlebach Gallery, Inc., New York, NY, USA

1964 - 1978
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Carlebach Gallery, Inc. [1]

1978 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]

Notes:
[1] An invoice dated April 26, 1964 to Morton D. May documents this purchase, listed as "28770/5, Mochica Head, Peru." Carlebach Gallery, Inc. is not identified on the printed invoice, although it was located in the Carlebach Gallery folders within the May Archives and the type-print is consistent with other invoices [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].

[2] A letter dated September 29, 1978 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, December 13, 1978.

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