Ai-apaec Jar

Dateca. 100-600 AD

Place Made DisplaySouth Coast Peru

MediumRedware

Dimensions10 x 9 inches (25.4 x 22.9 cm)

CultureMoche (Peru)

PeriodEarly Intermediate Period

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineGift of J.B. Steere, 1877; transferred from the Anthropology Department Collections

Terms

Perú
Ceramics
Redware
Snakes
Cats
Mountains
Gods
Moche

Object number56.230

Label CopyThis Moche vessel is made in the form of a fanged central Ai-apaec deity figure holding snakes with feline heads. Ai-apaec was the son of the aloof supreme deity or mountain god, and is often depicted seated under the peaks of the mountains, as in this vessel. The rounded peak-like protruberances at the sides of the vessel, near the figure's arms, represent these mountain peaks. Ai-apaec is generally pictured with fangs, a supernatural characteristic shared with the great cats (felines and pumas).

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