Double Spout and Bridge Vessel in the Form of a Ridged Gourd c. 650

This double spout vessel in the form of a ridged gourd was made by the Paracas culture of ancient Peru. The gourd form isn't just decorative. It represents abundance, fertility, and the life-sustaining gifts of the earth. The double spout and bridge handle are particularly intriguing. We see this configuration echoed in Mycenaean pottery, used for pouring libations. Water, wine, or other liquids are poured with a gesture that is a ritual act of offering, connecting the earthly realm with the spiritual. This cultural memory, etched into the vessel's very form, has been resurrected and transformed in different ages, showing the profound and cyclical way in which humans create meaning. In the vessel we see a vessel of cultural memory, reflecting our desires, fears, and spiritual longings.