Blackware Vessel with Relief Depicting a Scene of Human Sacrifice c. 100 - 500

This blackware vessel depicting human sacrifice was made by the Moche people. Notice how the sleek, dark surface reflects light, creating a play of shadows that animate the relief. The composition is densely packed, dominated by the central, imposing figure. The scene, though morbid, is rendered with a sophisticated sense of design. The artist’s choice to depict this scene in relief is significant. The raised figures project outwards, engaging the viewer in a tangible way. The vessel’s structure combines practicality with symbolic depth. Its spout and handle give it a functional dimension, but also serve as a physical and metaphorical link between the earthly and the divine. The vessel can be seen as more than just a utilitarian object or a static representation; it is an active participant in the ritual landscape, continually re-interpreting the relationship between the Moche people and their worldview.