Bird Warrior Bottle

4th–7th century

Not on view

Stirrup-spout bottles were the privileged ceramic medium used by Moche artists in the expression of complex ideological messages. Moche slip-painted vessels were typically bichrome, with red decoration on white/cream background. This bottle dates from the Moche apogee period (400–750), during which the fineline painting tradition was used to create a great diversity of narrative scenes. Since painting styles of Moche artists are as distinctive as handwritings, it is possible to recognize multiple vessels with scenes painted by the same artist. Here, the figures represent either anthropomorphized bird warriors or human warriors wearing feathered adornments and bird-face masks. They carry shields, lances, and triangular war clubs similar to those found in burials of the Moche elite. Other warrior attributes include the trapezoidal backflaps, conical helmets, and tunics covered with square metal platelets.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Bird Warrior Bottle
Date: 4th–7th century
Geography: Peru
Culture: Moche
Medium: Ceramic, slip
Dimensions: H. 11 1/4 × W. 6 1/4 × D. 6 1/4 in. (28.6 × 15.9 × 15.9 cm)
Classification: Ceramics-Containers
Credit Line: Gift of Nathan Cummings, 1967
Object Number: 67.167.1
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

From the same culture

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Portrait Head Bottle, Ceramic, slip, pigment, Moche — Portrait Head Bottle
Moche
5th–6th century

Bottle in the shape of a feline, Wari artist(s), Ceramic, slip, Wari — Bottle in the shape of a feline
Wari artist(s)
600–900 CE

Stirrup-spout bottle with seated figure, Moche artist(s), Ceramic, Moche — Stirrup-spout bottle with seated figure
Moche artist(s)
200 CE–500 CE

Double bowl, Inca artist(s), Ceramic, slip, Inca — Double bowl
Inca artist(s)
1400–1535 CE

Bottle with caiman, Cupisnique artist(s), Ceramic, post-fire paint (cinnabar), Cupisnique — Bottle with caiman
Cupisnique artist(s)
1000–800 BCE

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.