Fragment of a Jar in the Form of a Human Head
Moche culture, Peru 🇵🇪, ca. 100 AD
Art Institute of Chicago

This ceramic fragment represents the head of a human figure, possibly depicting a deceased individual, and is distinguished by a prominent nosering 🪙. The piece comes from the Moche culture, known for its highly skilled pottery and realistic portrait vessels.

The careful modeling of facial features and the inclusion of jewelry reflect the importance of social status and ritual in Moche society. Such jars were likely used in funerary contexts, serving as offerings or as containers associated with ancestral veneration and ceremonial practices.

The subtle details, including the painted lines and expressive form, demonstrate the Moche mastery of ceramic art and their ability to convey both individuality and cultural symbolism.