Art, symbolism and power in Moche Society, North Coast of Peru

Art, symbolism and power in Moche Society, North Coast of Peru

JORDÁN, Régulo Franco

Lecture:

The Moche (2nd-8th centuries A.D.) were one of the most powerful kingdoms of their time on the North Coast of Peru, as were the Nasca in Ica south of Lima and the Tiahuanaco in the altiplano between Peru and Bolivia. Their achievements in their various cultural manifestations are compared with the grandeur of the Maya in Central America. They extended over a territory of 600 kilometers, from Piura in the north to Huarmey in the south. Moche art and symbolism reflect high development in knowledge of the laws of nature that permitted them to recreate it for magical-religious uses. Moche works of art in temple murals, in goldwork, in textiles, in ceramics, etc. express, without doubt, an extraordinary artistic quality that was enjoyed by the powerful Moche lords and their gods.

The Moche (2nd-8th centuries A.D.) were one of the most powerful kingdoms of their time on the North Coast of Peru, as were the Nasca in Ica south of Lima and the Tiahuanaco in the altiplano between Peru and Bolivia. Their achievements in their various cultural manifestations are compared with the grandeur of the Maya in Central America. They extended over a territory of 600 kilometers, from Piura in the north to Huarmey in the south. Moche art and symbolism reflect high development in knowledge of the laws of nature that permitted them to recreate it for magical-religious uses. Moche works of art in temple murals, in goldwork, in textiles, in ceramics, etc. express, without doubt, an extraordinary artistic quality that was enjoyed by the powerful Moche lords and their gods.

Palavras-chave:

DOI: 10.5151/design-icdhs-001

Como citar:

JORDÁN, Régulo Franco; "Art, symbolism and power in Moche Society, North Coast of Peru", p-1-6. In: Farias, Priscila Lena; Calvera, Anna; Braga, Marcos da Costa & Schincariol, Zuleica (Eds.). Design frontiers: territories, concepts, technologies [=ICDHS 2012 - 8th Conference of the International Committee for Design History & Design Studies]. São Paulo: Blucher, 2012. São Paulo: Blucher, 2014.
ISSN 23186968, DOI 10.5151/design-icdhs-001