Mask
Place of originPeru
Mask
Date100-700 CE
Mediumcopper alloy, bone, muscovite
Dimensionsoverall: 8 3/4 × 5 5/8 × 4 in. (22.2 × 14.3 × 10.2 cm) 3/1/2019
ClassificationSCULPTURE
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Wright S. Ludington
Object number1960.2
Subject(s)
- heads and faces
Collection
- Pre-Columbian
- Ancient Americas
On View
On viewLabel TextElite members of Moche society were buried with a wide variety of precious objects. These were often made of valuable materials that had to be imported from elsewhere in the Andean world or further away. Pieces which adorn the body such as jewelry and headdresses have been found together with masks similar to this one in both male and female burials. Lifelike in its rendering, it is possible that this mask resembled the specific individual for whom it was made. A scientific study of the object showed that it was made of a copper alloy with a small amount of gold and was once painted red with cinnabar. The eyes are made of bone and a black stone called muscovite. Small fragments of textile are still present on the metal and holes around the edge indicate that it may have once had ears attached.
Moche II, Early Intermediate
2nd century BCE - 5th century CE
