Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Property from the Donald and Lucy Beldock Collection
Moche Portrait Head Vessel, circa AD 500-700
Lot Closed
November 21, 07:10 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Property from the Donald and Lucy Beldock Collection
Moche Portrait Head Vessel
circa AD 500-700
Height: 11 ⅜ in (28.9 cm)
Donald and Lucy Beldock, New York, acquired from the above in November 1968
Portrait head vessels are a defining feature of the Moche culture, as Donnan notes “Moche portraits are among the most varied, objective and confident portraits produced by any civilization of the ancient world.” (Christopher Donnan, Moche Portraits from Ancient Peru, Austin, 2004, p. 3).
The calm and confident expression on this youthful face of large upraised eyes, pursed lips, and well-modeled cheeks showing scarification are classic elements of this distinctive genre of Moche pottery. It is made in the stirrup-spout form which could hold liquid. This dignitary wears a simple head cloth wrapped close to the head.