Sculptural ceramic ceremonial vessel that represents a mythological episode of combat and sacrifice ML012863

This is a sculptural ceramic bottle with relief scenes referred to the Sacrifice Ceremony. At the top of the container lays 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. He is flanked by two lizards. The four sides of the piece modeled in the shape of a truncated pyramid are demarcated by two-headed snakes extending as vertical poles. The scenes and personages depicted on the sides are: Ai Apaec, holding a baton and a circular shield, wearing a feline headdress, necklace and belt snakes; an owl anthropomorphic with feline headdress, necklace and backflap beheading a prisoner who is sitting with his hands tied behind his back; a bird warrior with conical helmet with a crescent-shape element, holding a baton, shield and carrying the naked warrior's dress; and, an anthropomorphic feline with a feline headdress and crescent-shape ornament and backflap, holding a square shield and a club, and subjecting a captive. (UH) Esta es una botella escultórica de cerámica con escenas en relieve referidas a la Ceremonia de Sacrificio. En la parte superior del contenedor está Ai Apaec (así llamado por Rafael Larco, término que en lengua Muchik significa “el hacedor”), echado y flanqueado por dos lagartijas. Los cuatro lados de la pieza de forma de pirámide trunca están demarcados por serpientes bicéfalas que se extienden a manera de postes verticales. Las escenas y personajes representados en los lados son: Ai Apaec, sosteniendo porra y escudo circular, con tocado de felino, collar y cinturón de serpientes; un búho antropomorfo con tocado de felino, collar y protector coxal degollando a prisionero sentado con tocado de felino y las manos atadas en la espalda; un ave guerrera con casco cónico con adorno en forma de media luna, sosteniendo porra, escudo y la vestimenta de guerrero caído; y, un felino antropomorfo con tocado de felino y adorno en forma de media luna y protector coxal, sosteniendo un escudo cuadrangular y porra, y sometiendo a un cautivo.(UH)