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Moche Pedestal Bowl

       This bowl is of the Moche culture and dates from the Late Formative period. The Late Formative period means at the piece dates between 300BC and 150AD. 

       This pedestal bowl was formed through a  coiling technique. The sides of the walls are flare out increasing the diameter of the bowl. On the bottom of the bowl a pedestal has been added. This may have been added after the body had been formed. 

      The Moche culture was located on the northern Peruvian Coast and existed from 100AD to about 800AD. The Moche were a militaristic culture and a theocratic state. Their home territory is characterized as a desert coastal area. They are most well known for the massive irrigation systems which were built in the desert. It is believed that they disappeared due to environmental disaster similar to El Nino.  

       Ceramics were primarily produced through the use of molds. The overall ceramic style is varied and can range from the simple to complex. Most of their pottery is decorated with scenes of daily life, sacrifice as well as warriors.

       The decoration around the outside of this bowl is still very visible. It consists of a series of lines forming triangles. The majority of these lines are painted in a brown colour but there are two main lines painted in red which separates the piece into four quadrants. 

       The painted design inside of the bowl can still be seen clearly. This consists of a sun burst design in solid brown paint. The pattern within is much more detailed then the outside. The bowl may also have been burnished to produce a shine.

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