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Stirrup-spout bottle with decapitation scene

200–500 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 362
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Stirrup-spout bottle with decapitation scene
  • Date: 200–500 CE
  • Geography: Peru, North Coast
  • Culture: Moche
  • Medium: Ceramic, slip
  • Dimensions: H. 7 1/2 × W. 4 × D. 6 3/4 in. (19.1 × 10.2 × 17.1 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Containers
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Jane Costello Goldberg, from the Collection of Arnold I. Goldberg, 1986
  • Object Number: 1987.394.630
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

Audio

Cover Image for 1622. Sacrifixer Scene Bottle

1622. Sacrifixer Scene Bottle

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