Sculptural ceramic ceremonial vessel that represents Ai Apaec, mythological hero of the Moche cutting the head of a maritime mythological being ML003465

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 case, Ai Apaec, with wrinkles on his face, wears a headdress that displays a fox head and a mace head. In this scene of confrontation Ai Apaec beheads another marine mythological being with fish traits and crests on the head. (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 este caso, Ai Apaec, con arrugas en el rostro, viste un tocado de cabeza que exhibe una cabeza de zorro delante y una cabeza de maza o porra de combate detrás. En esta escena de confrontación se ve que Ai Apaec está decapitando con un cuchillo a otro ser mitológico marino, con rasgos de pez y crestas en la cabeza. (UH)