Stirrup-spout bottle with decapitation scene

Moche

Not on view

This bottle represents a major Moche deity known as Wrinkle Face in recent literature. He is recognizable by his deep wrinkles, fanged mouth, feline headdress, and snake-headed belt. In this particular image, he also wears a necklace made of circular owl-head beads. Wrinkle Face is often represented in sacrifice scenes, burial ceremonies, and combats with diverse supernatural creatures. Here, he stands on a platform in front of a human figure with severed head lying on its back. The deity holds a tumi ceremonial knife in his left hand, as if he had just performed the sacrifice. In the right hand, he holds an open-mouthed animal head. A series of snake heads is painted around the platform.

#1622. Sacrifixer Scene Bottle

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Stirrup-spout bottle with decapitation scene, Ceramic, slip, Moche

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