Stirrup Spout Vessel with Fineline Parrot Motifs c. 100 - 500

The Moche people created this ceramic stirrup spout vessel with fineline parrot motifs. Notice how the vessel is shaped like a sphere, and the stirrup spout handle which uses the semiotics of the circle to signify completion and connection. The parrots are drawn with a striking economy of line, capturing their essence with minimal detail. Each bird is distinct, yet together they create a lively, rhythmic pattern that wraps around the vessel. The texture of the ceramic further invites touch and intimacy. The choice of the parrot as a motif could stem from the fact that parrots are a kind of go-between or messenger: in many Indigenous cultures of Central and South America, parrots are an important symbol with symbolic significance that reflects a deep connection to nature. Ultimately, the Moche artist uses form and imagery to weave together cultural narratives and natural observations.