lifeafterlife

		MOCHE I North Coast 300-100 BCE STIRRUP POT CONDOR MOTIF LMA 6655 Size: 17.5 cm tall Manufacture: Mold-pressed Surface: Cream and red slips Firing: Oxidizing
Although the area of Vicús is better known for its own unique variety of pottery, early on it came under the influence of Chavín and Moche. This vessel was probably mold-pressed. The condor motif, executed in the very low relief typical of Moche Phase I, has been accentuated with a cream slip in certain areas. The Moche were expert at working with a simple palette of two colors - cream and red. Compare this vessel with the Late Chavín/Moche I vessel you saw earlier, in which semi-reduction, the other popular technique, was employed.

		MOCHE I North Coast 300-100 BCE STIRRUP POT MACAW MOTIF LMA 6691 Size: 17.5 cm tall, 21.5 cm long Manufacture: Mold-pressed or modeled Surface: Smoke blackened Firing: Semi-reduced
Because the coastal areas of Peru are quite dry, macaws are not indigenous to Moche lands. They must have been imported from the tropical rainforests in the highlands. The coloring of this vessel was achieved through a process called ‘semi-reduction’. In a fully reduced vessel, all of the oxygen is removed from the kiln during firing and the vessel turns black. Semi-reduction only resulted in a relative graying of the surface, which is in some ways more rich than the solid black of fully reduced wares.

		MOCHE III North Coast 250 - 450 BCE STIRRUP POT MONKEY MOTIF LMA 7228 Size: 22.5 cm tall Manufacture: Mold-pressed or modeled Surface: Cream and red slips Firing: Oxidizing
This vessel is more sophisticated than the earlier Salinar monkey pot. It was probably mold-pressed, allowing for numerous copies. The long, straight spout without lip is characteristic of this period.

		MOCHE III/IV North Coast 250 - 550 BCE STIRRUP POT BOUND CAPTIVE LMA 15989 Size: 24 cm tall Manufacture: Mold-pressed and modeled Surface: Cream and red slips Firing: Oxidizing
Effigy pots depicting bound captives were quite common during this period. The rope around the neck indicates captivity, and the hands are bound behind the back.