Mochica Silver Ceremonial Cup

Replica of the cup of the sacrifice ceremony from the Mochica collection of the Larco Museum. This silver ceremonial goblet from around 1500 years ago reminds us that precious metals are reserved for making ritual objects with high symbolic meaning. The goblet is the vessel that combines the shape of the bowl, much like a water fountain, with the pedestal, a formal element that raises it so to become a container dedicated to the libation of sacred liquids. The goblet is the container held by the sacred characters represented in pre-Columbian art in scenes of sacrifice and blood offering. (Uh)