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Museum Collections - Ancient Peru - Moche - Artifact #3
WHO: Moche culture
WHERE: North-central coast, Peru
WHEN: Early Intermediate Period, A.D. 100-500
WHAT: Cats were important creatures for the Moche and many Moche ceramics show felines of several types and in various poses. The cat depicted on this vessel is probably a Pampas Cat (Oncifelis colocolo) which is a small, buff-coloured cat from the coastal desert. The man holding the cat is wearing a distinctive headdress. This headwear may be associated with feline powers as there are other Moche vessels with feline heads incorporated into the same style of headdress.
HOW: Mould-made and hand-modelled earthenware; white and red slip decoration
MUSEUM: Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. G83.1.163
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