Portrait Vessel of a Ruler, Stirrup Missing c. 100 - 500

This ceramic vessel, crafted by the Moche people of ancient Peru between 100 and 500 CE, depicts a ruler. The realistic portrait is a testament to the Moche’s artistic skill and their fascination with portraiture. The vessel’s hollow head served as a container, likely for liquids, while the intricate details of the ruler’s face, including the subtle expression and stylized hair, demonstrate the artists’ attention to detail. The vessel, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a significant artifact providing insights into the visual culture and societal hierarchy of the Moche civilization.