Moche Art of Peru Photos

The Moche civilization (primarily 100-800CE, but can be earlier) lived in what is now northern-western Peru. Also called the Mochica (Mochika) or early Chimu culture, these natives created a wide range of fanciful ornaments and ceramics, many with a stirrup handle.

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Moche earthenware kneeling warrior from Peru at de Young Museum. San Francisco, CA.Moche earthenware portrait vessel of fanged deity from Peru at de Young Museum. San Francisco, CA.Moche earthenware stirrup-spouted vessel with scene of sacrifice from Peru at de Young Museum. San Francisco, CA.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottles from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.
Moche earthenware kneeling warrior (400 BCE- 550 CE) from Peru at de Young Museum. San Francisco, CA.Moche earthenware portrait vessel of fanged deity (400 BCE- 550 CE) from Peru at de Young Museum. San Francisco, CA.Moche earthenware stirrup-spouted vessel with scene of sacrifice (1st-8thC) from Peru at de Young Museum. San Francisco, CA.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottles (100-800) from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.
Moche ceramic portrait vessels from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic portrait vessel from Peru at Fowler Museum. Los Angeles, CA.Moche pottery vessel representing royal messenger from Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Ceramic stirrup-handle portrait vessel from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.
Moche ceramic portrait vessels (100 BCE-500 CE) from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic portrait vessel (100-800) from Peru at Fowler Museum. Los Angeles, CA.Moche pottery vessel representing royal messenger (100 BCE-500) from Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Ceramic stirrup-handle portrait vessel (100 BCE-600 CE) from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.
Moche ceramic warrior vessel from Peru at Fowler Museum. Los Angeles, CA.Moche stirrup-spout earthenware portrait bottle from North Coast of Peru at Denver Art Museum. Denver, CO.Moche earthenware portrait bottle from North Coast of Peru at Denver Art Museum. Denver, CO.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face with fangs, snake ears & feline headdress from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.
Moche ceramic warrior vessel (100-800) from Peru at Fowler Museum. Los Angeles, CA.Moche stirrup-spout earthenware portrait bottle (300-600) from North Coast of Peru at Denver Art Museum. Denver, CO.Moche earthenware portrait bottle (300-600 CE) from North Coast of Peru at Denver Art Museum. Denver, CO.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face with fangs, snake ears & feline headdress (100-800) from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face with bird headdress from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face painted rather than sculpted from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face being held by arms by supernatural bird from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.Moche pottery vessel representing deer impersonator from Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face with bird headdress (100-800) from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face painted rather than sculpted (100-800) from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure of Wrinkle Face being held by arms by supernatural bird (100-800) from Peru at Dumbarton Oaks Museum. Washington, DC.Moche pottery vessel representing deer impersonator (100 BCE-500) from Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
Moche pottery vessel representing prisoner with avian captors from Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic vessel in form of fisherman in reed boat from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic vessel in form of seal impersonator playing a drum from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic vessel in form of owl impersonator from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
Moche pottery vessel representing prisoner with avian captors (100 BCE-500) from Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic vessel in form of fisherman in reed boat (100 BCE-500 CE) from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic vessel in form of seal impersonator playing a drum (100 BCE-500 CE) from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Moche ceramic vessel in form of owl impersonator (100 BCE-500 CE) from North Coast, Peru at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of frog from North Coast of Peru at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of llama from North Coast of Peru at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.Moche falcon stirrup earthenware vessel from North Coast of Peru at Denver Art Museum. Denver, CO.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of water fowl from North Coast of Peru at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.
Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of frog (100-200) from North Coast of Peru at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of llama (100-200) from North Coast of Peru at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.Moche falcon stirrup earthenware vessel (100-300) from North Coast of Peru at Denver Art Museum. Denver, CO.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of water fowl (100-200) from North Coast of Peru at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.
Moche stirrup-spout vessel of fanged god with figure eight ears from Peru at Peabody Museum. Cambridge, MA.Moche culture ceramic vessel in shape of kneeling warrior with a club from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic vessel in shape of portrait heads from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of owl-like creature with human body from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.
Moche stirrup-spout vessel of fanged god with figure eight ears from Peru at Peabody Museum. Cambridge, MA.Moche culture ceramic vessel in shape of kneeling warrior with a club (100 BCE- 600 CE) from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic vessel in shape of portrait heads (100 BCE- 600 CE) from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of owl-like creature with human body (100 BCE- 600 CE) from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.
Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of fox-like creature with human body from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of crocodile from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of parrot with throat pouch from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic vessel in shape of eagle head with corn surface from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.
Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of fox-like creature with human body (100 BCE- 600 CE) from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of crocodile (100 BCE- 600 CE) from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic stirrup vessel in shape of parrot with throat pouch (100 BCE- 600 CE) from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.Moche culture ceramic vessel in shape of eagle head with corn surface (100 BCE- 600 CE) from north coast of Peru at Five Continents Museum. Munich, Germany.
Collection of Mochica vessels from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Mochica culture earthenware vessel in shape of parrot from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Mochica culture earthenware vessel copulating rats from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Mochica culture earthenware portrait vessel & pair of earspools from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Collection of Mochica vessels (c100-600) from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Mochica culture earthenware vessel in shape of parrot (c100 BCE) from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Mochica culture earthenware vessel copulating rats (c500) from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Mochica culture earthenware portrait vessel (c600) & pair of earspools (c300) from Northern Peru at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Mochika ceramics from Peru in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Mochika ceramic jug with face in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Moche bottle with crab in Gold Museum, Lima. Peru.Moche bottle with face in Gold Museum in Lima. Peru.
Mochika ceramics (100 BCE) from Peru in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Mochika ceramic jug with face (100 BCE) in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Moche bottle with crab (100-800) in Gold Museum, Lima. Peru.Moche bottle with face (100-800) in Gold Museum in Lima. Peru.
Moche pottery of people in Museum of Anthropology & Archeology, Lima. Peru.Moche gold & inlaid earflares, Peru at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.Gold & copper alloy mask from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Gold & copper feline head from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.
Moche pottery of people in Museum of Anthropology & Archeology, Lima. Peru.Moche gold & inlaid earflares, Peru (3rd-7thC) at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.Gold & copper alloy mask (100 BCE-600 CE) from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Gold & copper feline head (100 BCE-600 CE) from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.
Copper mask from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Gold frontal ornament from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Gold nose ring from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Moche ceramic portrait vessels from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Copper mask (100 BCE-600 CE) from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Gold frontal ornament (100 BCE-600 CE) from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Gold nose ring (100 BCE-600 CE) from Mochica Culture, Peru at Barbier Mueller Precolumbian Art Museum. Barcelona, Spain.Moche ceramic portrait vessels (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure with animal face from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle of a sick man from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout portrait bottle from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with unusual inverted construction from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle figure with animal face (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle of a sick man (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout portrait bottle (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with unusual inverted construction (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with figure of warrior from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with figure of drummer from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle man with serape & earrings from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle man in stripped robe from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with figure of warrior (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with figure of drummer (100-750) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle man with serape & earrings (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle man in stripped robe (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle portrait head of distinguished hat & mustache from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with figure of warrior from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel head with face painting & jaguar headdress from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel portrait head with face painting from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle portrait head of distinguished hat & mustache (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle with figure of warrior (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel head with face painting & jaguar headdress (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel portrait head with face painting (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic corn toaster with the relief of warrior from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of duck from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic corn toaster (canchero) with the relief of warrior (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of duck (100-750) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of duck from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of bird surrounded by young from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of parrot (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of duck (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of bird surrounded by young (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of sting ray from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of jaguar from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel in shape of feline with snake tail from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel in shape of mountains & human sacrifice from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of sting ray (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic stirrup-spout bottle in shape of jaguar (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel in shape of feline with snake tail (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche ceramic vessel in shape of mountains & human sacrifice (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.
Moche silver & copper headdress or pectoral from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche culture earthenware portrait bottle with stirrup spout from North Coast Peru at Gardiner Museum. Toronto, ON.Moche culture earthenware owl effigy bottle with stirrup spout from North Coast Peru at Gardiner Museum. Toronto, ON.Moche terra cotta anthropomorphic figure bottle from north coast of Peru at Sèvres National Ceramic Museum. Paris, France.
Moche silver & copper headdress or pectoral (100-700) from Peru at Museum of America. Madrid, Spain.Moche culture earthenware portrait bottle with stirrup spout (100-700) from North Coast Peru at Gardiner Museum. Toronto, ON.Moche culture earthenware owl effigy bottle with stirrup spout (100-500) from North Coast Peru at Gardiner Museum. Toronto, ON.Moche terra cotta anthropomorphic figure bottle (600-700) from north coast of Peru at Sèvres National Ceramic Museum. Paris, France.
Moche earthenware portrait bottle from Peru at Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, MA.Moche earthenware lobster-effigy from Peru at Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, MA.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of frog from North Coast of Peru at Memorial Art Gallery. Rochester, NY.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel with warriors from North Coast of Peru at Memorial Art Gallery. Rochester, NY.
Moche earthenware portrait bottle (450-600) from Peru at Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, MA.Moche earthenware lobster-effigy (200-600) from Peru at Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, MA.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel in form of frog (c300-450) from North Coast of Peru at Memorial Art Gallery. Rochester, NY.Moche terracotta stirrup vessel with warriors (c450-600) from North Coast of Peru at Memorial Art Gallery. Rochester, NY.
Mochica culture terracotta stirrup vessels in forms of frog & duck from North Coast of Peru at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Montreal, QC.Moché ceramic owl jar at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Houston, TX.Moché ceramic hawk vessel at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Houston, TX.Moché silver headdress ornament from North Coast, Peru at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Houston, TX.
Mochica culture terracotta stirrup vessels in forms of frog & duck (450-700) from North Coast of Peru at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Montreal, QC.Moché ceramic owl jar (100-800) at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Houston, TX.Moché ceramic hawk vessel (100-800) at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Houston, TX.Moché silver headdress ornament (100-800) from North Coast, Peru at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Houston, TX.
Mochika ceramic jug with face in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Mochika ceramics from Peru in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Mochika culture terra cotta stirrup bottle in form of fox dressed as warrior from Peru at Musée du quai Branly. Paris, France.
Mochika ceramic jug with face (100 BCE) in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Mochika ceramics (100 BCE) from Peru in Incan Museum, Cusco. Peru.Mochika culture terra cotta stirrup bottle in form of fox dressed as warrior (100 BCE - 700 CE) from Peru at Musée du quai Branly. Paris, France.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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