Ceramic ceremonial vessel that represents Ai Apaec, hero of the Moche fighting with a crab

A mythological episode of the heroic saga of Ai Apaec is represented in this sculptural ceramic bottle. Ai Apaec (so named by Rafael Larco, meaning "the maker” in Muchik language) is the Moche mythological personage characterized by a belt and ear ornaments with snake heads, fangs in his face, and a headdress that varies according to the context in which he is located as part of his quest. In this bottle sculpture we see an anthropomorphic crab confronted with Ai Apaec, in an episode of his journey through the underworld. (UH)

En esta botella escultórica de cerámica se representa un episodio del ciclo mitológico del héroe Mochica Ai Apaec (así llamado por Rafael Larco, término que en lengua Muchik significa “el hacedor”) caracterizado por llevar cinturón y orejeras de serpientes, colmillos en el rostro, y un tocado que varía de acuerdo al contexto en el cual se encuentre como parte de su gesta. En esta botella escultórica lo vemos enfrentado a un cangrejo antropomorfo, en un episodio de su viaje por el mundo de abajo. (UH)