Portrait Vessel in the Form of a Ruler c. 100 - 500

This portrait vessel in the form of a ruler was created by the Moche people of ancient Peru. The Moche flourished from about 200 to 850 AD, well before the Inca. Moche society was highly stratified, with powerful rulers and priests at the top. These elites commissioned elaborate artworks to reinforce their authority. This terracotta vessel, found at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a striking example of Moche portraiture which served important political and social functions. The stirrup spout is a typical Moche design. Note the ruler's headdress, ear ornaments, and the markings on his face, all symbols of status. These portrait vessels were not only artistic representations but also powerful statements about identity, power, and social hierarchy. While rooted in the traditions of its time, this vessel invites us to consider how societies construct and reinforce power dynamics through portraiture. It asks us to consider the lives of individuals within these long lost cultures, and the echoes of this not-so-distant past in the present.