Cutout Disk, Crab and Fish 2nd–3rd century Moche This impressive gilded copper disk depicts a crab, surrounded by alternating plain and embossed circular gold bands. The ornament was originally cut from a larger sheet of hammered copper and was subsequently gilded (Schorsch, 1998). Portions of the sheet were removed to create the central figure plus five concentric rings connected by six radiating bands or rays. The first, third and outermost circular bands are unworked, while the second and fourth bands have been embossed to depict six fish in profile. The central repoussé crab is masterfully

Cutout Disk, Crab and Fish 2nd–3rd century Moche This impressive gilded copper disk depicts a crab, surrounded by alternating plain and embossed circular gold bands. The ornament was originally cut from a larger sheet of hammered copper and was subsequently gilded (Schorsch, 1998). Portions of the sheet were removed to create the central figure plus five concentric rings connected by six radiating bands or rays. The first, third and outermost circular bands are unworked, while the second and fourth bands have been embossed to depict six fish in profile. The central repoussé crab is masterfully represented with embossed eye stalks, mouth parts, pinchers, carapace, walking legs and tail. Even the articulation points of the leg joints are indicated. As with the crab, each fish in the inner band has been delicately embossed to indicate the piscine facial anatomy, scales and fins. The fourth circular band depicts spotted catfish illustrated in a dorsal view depicting eyes, fins and scales. The plain surfaces, including the rays and the three plain circular bands, are adorned with gilded dangles affixed to the disk by thin gilded wires attached to the back. The wires that hold the dangles are oriented so that only when the central figure, the crab, is pointing up, do the dangles hang properly. (In any other orientation, some of the disks would hang beyond the borders of the backing.) One can imagine the brilliant effect of sunlight reflecting off the solid and shimmering elements of this Moche iconography, crabs are one of the major animals featured in the pantheon of anthropomorphic warriors (Donnan and McClelland, 1999). Combatants with crab-like bodies and other crustacean attributes but with human heads are often found on Moche modeled and painted ceramics (see, for example, a ceramic bottle in the Met’s collection, ). It is unclear what features elevated this sea creature to one of esteem: Was it the crab’s ability to live both under the wate

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