Skip to Content

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds above the warriors in this painting signify speed and intense action. The trapezoidal objects hanging from the backs of the warriors, known as backflaps, are made of metal. When a backflap is depicted with half light and half dark color, the artist is indicating that one half is silver and the other half is gold. The rectangular elements with two dots, seen on the tunic and headdress of one of the warriors on the right, depict platelets of gilded copper that are sewn onto fabric. Paisley-shaped objects between the pairs of warriors are ulluchus, fruits that had a religious importance to the Moche.

Image Source

  • Christopher B. Donnan and Donna McClelland Moche Archive, 1963–2011, PH.PC.001_100-TISH 2-Cat 31-IV, Image Collections and Fieldwork Archives, Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University, Washington, D.C.
 

More Exhibit Items

Combat
Combat

War Clubs
War Clubs

Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds

Defeat
Defeat

Captives
Captives

Victory Parade
Victory Parade

Ceremony
Ceremony

Sacrifice
Sacrifice

Trophies
Trophies