Like the knights of chivalric Europe, the Mochica
warrior class played an important role in the
history of their age. The art that celebrates these
warriors is full of images of bravery, swiftness,
pride and power. On this unusual vessel, two
warriors are shown confronting each other. They
wear rounded helmets and carry circular shields;
their war clubs, originally made of wood, have
disappeared with the centuries. Are we
witnessing a scene of combat, or is this a
ceremony of honor, similar to the dubbing of
knighthood? Like a faded photograph without a
caption, this vessel offers a tantalizing glimpse
of the past. To look upon it is to set the
imagination free on a journey of discovery.
- (K.043)
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