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Vessel in the Form of a Drummer

Artwork Tombstone
CultureMoche
TitleVessel in the Form of a Drummer
Date200–500
MediumClay and pigment
DimensionsObject: 6 3/4 × 5 1/4 × 7 1/2 in. (17.1 × 13.3 × 19.1 cm)
Overall: 6 3/4 × 5 1/4 × 7 1/2 in. (17.1 × 13.3 × 19.1 cm)
Credit LineEskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number62.181
This artwork is currently on view.
Image Forthcoming

Depictions of the everyday world as well as the supernatural are found in Moche art. While depictions on jars, bowls, and cups created in low relief are often vague on facial details, instead differentiating characters through costume; high relief and modeled figures show a great interest in realism.

The Moche utilized press molds in the creation of their ceramics, a process that would allow for quicker and larger levels of production than hand building. Even with this widespread use of molds it is very unusual to find duplicate objects.

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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Cite this page
"Vessel in the Form of a Drummer | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=62.181