Portrait Jar

Portrait Jar

A.D. 400-600
Culture
Moche
Locale
Peru, north coast
Country
Peru
Object
jar
Medium
Earthenware with colored slips
Accession Number
1985.410
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Long
Portrait Jar . A.D. 400-600. Earthenware with colored slips. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Long. 1985.410.
Dimensions
height: 7 in, 17.7800 cm; width: 4.75 in, 12.0650 cm
Department
Mayer Center, Arts of the Ancient Americas
Collection
Arts of the Ancient Americas

Portrait Jar
Moche
About A.D. 400–600
Peru, north coast
Earthenware with colored slips
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Long, 1985.410

The individual portrayed by this vessel is known from at least forty ceramic portrait vessels, more than any other individual.  He can be identified by a distinctive scar on his upper lip – thus archaeologist Christopher Donnan has dubbed him “Cut Lip.”  Some vessels present Cut Lip as a young boy, with soft, rather fleshy features.  Many others seem to portray a young man, in his teens and twenties, often wearing patterned head cloths and red face paint.  By his thirties, Cut Lip often wore ear ornaments and black painted patterns on his face and neck.  This vessel probably portrays Cut Lip shortly before his death.  His finery is gone, and he likely awaits sacrifice.  

The many portraits of Cut Lip, beginning when he was just a child, indicate that he was a member of a noble family.  He probably gained additional status through participation in warfare, but was eventually defeated and captured.  Scenes painted on Moche vessels show defeated warriors, stripped of their clothing and weapons, being marched off for sacrifice.  Evidence of a mass warrior sacrifice has been uncovered at the Huaca de la Luna in the Moche Valley.

Some images in our online collection are at thumbnail size, in accordance with AAMD guidelines, because they are protected by copyright. The Denver Art Museum respects the rights of artists or their representatives who retain the copyright to their work. Other images represent the best photography available and should be used as reference images only. Please complete the Image Rights Request form if you want to request a high resolution image.