Moche portrait vessels depict the aristocracy of
ancient Peru. With originals modeled from life,
the vessels were then pressed into molds,
sometimes over a period of years. Buried in
tombs they served as marks of respect from the
individuals they portrayed. This fascinating
portrait shows a man with proud, determined
features. Lines of age have been incised on his
face, as if updating an earlier image. Though not
young, he possesses a remarkable vigor that
reaches out across the centuries. We do not
doubt for a moment that in his own world he
enjoyed the privileges of power.
- (PF.1362)
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