Stirrup Spout Vessel Depicting a Deer Hunt c. 100 - 500

This Stirrup Spout Vessel depicting a Deer Hunt was created by the Moche people of ancient Peru using paint on earthenware. The Moche civilization flourished along the northern coast of Peru from about 200 to 850 AD. Their society was highly stratified, with distinct social classes and power structures. Moche art provides insights into their beliefs, rituals, and daily life. Vessels like this weren't just functional; they were potent symbols of status, religious belief, and cultural identity. The image of the deer hunt connects us to Moche values and the natural world. It is a visualization of hunting, which was a crucial activity for sustenance and possibly ritualistic purposes. The vessel acts as a tangible representation of Moche cosmology, belief systems, and social practices. This vessel offers a glimpse into the complex world of the Moche, inviting us to reflect on how societies construct their identities and narratives through art.