Jar in the Form of a Figure with Patterned Waistband and Lizard Headdress c. 100 - 500

This ceramic jar in the form of a figure, made by the Moche people, is currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. The object's symmetrical structure creates a sense of balance. Notice how the artist uses a limited color palette of reddish-brown and cream to define the figure’s form and clothing. The patterned waistband and lizard headdress aren't merely decorative; they likely signify the figure's status or role within Moche society. The lizard headdress may symbolize agility or connection to the natural world. Moreover, the jar's design may reflect a structuralist approach, with its emphasis on binary oppositions: the figure's head versus body, the patterned versus plain areas. These contrasting elements guide our perception and understanding of the jar's cultural significance. The jar invites us to consider the interplay between form, function, and symbolic meaning within the Moche civilization.