The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 8, 2026

A dark gray, mottled ceramic vessel shaped like a reclining feline features wide circular eyes and an open mouth baring large fangs. Small, rounded ears top its large head. The animal rests on flat front paws with rear legs tucked under its body. A curved stirrup handle rises from the feline's back, supporting a short vertical spout. Its polished surface is covered in lighter gray patches.

Feline Vessel

200–850 CE

Central Andes, North Coast, Moche people

ceramic
Overall: 17 x 14 x 19.8 cm (6 11/16 x 5 1/2 x 7 13/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 2010.4
Location: 232 Andean

Did You Know?

The Moche were known for their fine animal representations.

Description

This darkware vessel is early Moche and demonstrates the transition from earlier North Coast cultures, which used smudge firing and post-fire pigmentation, to Moche times, which saw the adoption of new, higher-oxygen firing technologies and the use of slips applied before firing.
  • {{cite web|title=Feline Vessel|url=false|author=|year=200–850 CE|access-date=08 May 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2010.4