Mold-Made Female Figurine c. 100 - 600

This mold-made female figurine was created by the Moche people of ancient Peru. The Moche flourished between 200 and 850 AD, and their society was deeply rooted in agriculture, religion, and complex social hierarchies. Consider the role of women in Moche society. The Moche are well-known for their ceramic art, often depicting everyday life. This figurine could represent fertility, motherhood, or perhaps a deity. The act of creating female figurines may have served to honor women’s roles within the community, and their power to create life. The red pigment might represent blood, vitality, or spiritual power, connecting the figure to crucial life forces. Perhaps this sculpture was used in rituals. It offers us a glimpse into the emotional and spiritual lives of the Moche, and it reminds us of the universal human impulse to create, to worship, and to find meaning in the world around us.