Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Portrait Vessel
(Ancient Americas )
Moche ceramics are famous within the Americas for having many vessels in the shape of heads which seem to be portraits of actual individuals – some have identifying scars or facial features. While the face of this man is more general and idealized, with his wide eyes and strong mouth, it likely depicts an actual ruler from the Moche culture.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
[Dr. Ernest Lira, Houston and Denver (?), or Dr. Peter Almendariz, Denver (?), or M. Brenner, Geneva (?)]; Paul Shepard, Tucson, Arizona [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Economos Works of Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Private collection, 1988, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 2009, by gift.
Geographies
Peru (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 8 1/4 x W: 6 1/2 x D: 5 1/2 in. (20.96 x 16.51 x 13.97 cm)
Credit Line
Anonymous gift, 2009
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
48.2827