This bold and expressive image combines the utility of a vessel, with the individuality of a sculpture. The bowl rests on a pedestal base, and the crown of the head...
This bold and expressive image combines the utility of a vessel, with the individuality of a sculpture. The bowl rests on a pedestal base, and the crown of the head rises to the bowls flared neck. This neck of the vessel is incised in panels, and ingeniously becomes the head’s hat. Below the high arched brows, which join the bridge of the nose, are button eyes with ridged lids. The mouth is a large oval with the teeth modeled and carefully incised. Appliquéd ears are stylized with large lugs. There are incised stylized "suns" on the cheeks to represent tattoos, and the base is incised in the manner of a collar. This vessel is a fine example of a portrait head, and is burnished with a black slip. This is also reminiscent of earlier Moche trophy heads.