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Ceramic ceremonial vessel that represents various episodes of the battles of Ai Apaec, the mythological hero of the Moche, with marine beings ML028662

Moche style1 AD - 800 AD

Museo Larco

Museo Larco
Lima, Peru

This is a ceramic bowl depicting episodes of the heroic quest of Ai Apaec (so named by Rafael Larco, meaning "the maker” in Muchik language), 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 piece we see some episodes of his mythological cycle concerning his entrance to the world below. Ai Apaec combats with a blowfish, a Strombus demon, and a being that has the body of a fish and ridges on the head, and whose face looks like a sea lion with fangs. These personages fight with knives. Ai Apaec is accompanied by the anthropomorphic lizard. This ceramic vessel with open walls also functions as a rattle since it has a hollow pedestal with clay beads that produce sound when shaken. (UH)

Este es un cuenco de cerámica que representa episodios de combates del héroe mitológico Ai Apaec (así llamado por Rafael Larco, término que en lengua Muchik significa “el hacedor”) caracterizado por su camisa con diseño escalonado, 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 pieza podemos ver algunos episodios de su ciclo mitológico que conciernen a su ingreso al mundo de abajo. Ai Apaec combate con un pez globo, un demonio strombus, y un ser que tiene crestas en la cabeza, y cuyo rostro parece el de un lobo marino con colmillos, y tiene cuerpo de pez. Los personajes se enfrentan con cuchillos. A Ai Apaec lo acompaña el personaje lagartija. Este vaso de cerámica con paredes abiertas también funciona como sonajero ya que tiene un pedestal hueco en el que hay cuentas de arcilla que producen sonidos al moverlo. (UH)

Details

  • Title: Ceramic ceremonial vessel that represents various episodes of the battles of Ai Apaec, the mythological hero of the Moche, with marine beings ML028662
  • Creator: Moche style
  • Date Created: 1 AD - 800 AD
  • Location Created: Trujillo, La Libertad, Peru, Peru
  • Título de la obra en español: Cuenco de cerámica que representa episodios de combates del héroe mitológico Ai Apaec con seres marinos ML028662
  • Style: Mochica
  • Place Part Of: Peru
  • Physical Dimensions: w415 x h295 x d415 mm (Complete object)
  • More Info: Collection Database Entry - Museo Larco - Museo Larco
  • Type: Ceramic Ceremonial Vessel
  • Rights: Museo Larco, Museo Larco
  • External Link: Museo Larco
  • Medium: Cerámica

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