Profile Warrior Ornament 6th–7th century Moche (Loma Negra) This warrior, one of five highly similar gilded copper figures in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the others are accession numbers , .72, .71, .86), was created by artists of the Moche culture in northern Peru. Each figure has a spear thrower or atlatl in his hand, and each wears typical Moche warrior regalia including a distinctive headdress tied under the chin and surmounted by a metal crescent projecting upward between two stepped elements. The warriors wear a tunic and loincloth as well as ear ornamen
Profile Warrior Ornament 6th–7th century Moche (Loma Negra) This warrior, one of five highly similar gilded copper figures in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the others are accession numbers , .72, .71, .86), was created by artists of the Moche culture in northern Peru. Each figure has a spear thrower or atlatl in his hand, and each wears typical Moche warrior regalia including a distinctive headdress tied under the chin and surmounted by a metal crescent projecting upward between two stepped elements. The warriors wear a tunic and loincloth as well as ear ornaments and a backflap, a type of body armor suspended from the lower back and terminating in a row of conical metal bells. Bells of similar shape suspended from tunics and banners have been excavated at Moche sites such as Sipán, reminding us of the importance of sound in battles, processions, and performances (Alva and Donnan, 1993). The figure’s eyes are made of shell with inlaid pupils of turquoise. The headdress and tunic are embellished with round dangles, and triangular ones decorate the belt; both types are suspended from thin wires fastened on the back of the figure. Three figures of this group still have spears or portions of spears, whereas two have lost their original weapons. The spears were made separately and soldered to the spear thrower. The warriors are depicted in the act of launching their projectiles with slightly flexed knees, the body bending backward, the arm holding the spear thrower extended rearward, and the free hand held in front for balance. Each figure looks upward as though aiming at a target. The function of these figures is unclear. They may have been affixed to supporting wood or textile materials by threads inserted through the small holes present in or under the hands of each figure and elsewhere. They may have once been part of an assemblage, or assemblages, of multiple figures. Related works, such as striding warriors with maces, are large
Size: 2304px × 2748px
Photo credit: © MET/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords:
