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

This Stirrup Spout Vessel with Fineline Lizard Motifs was made by the Moche people of ancient Peru. The Moche flourished between 200 and 850 AD, a society where art was deeply entwined with ritual and power. This vessel isn't just a container; it's a narrative. The lizard motif is not merely decorative. In Moche culture, animals often represented deities, power, or specific attributes that were important to the society. Ceramics like this were often found in burial sites, suggesting their role in accompanying individuals into the afterlife, which can be seen as a narrative about gender, as it challenges the expectations around these objects by placing them with both men and women. The stirrup spout, unique to ancient Andean cultures, facilitated liquid pouring. In the lives of the Moche people, this vessel wasn’t simply utilitarian. It held social and spiritual significance, embodying a complex relationship with their environment and beliefs.