Stirrup Vessel with Fineline Painting Depicting a Figures in Reed Boat c. 100 - 500

This is a ceramic stirrup vessel with fineline painting depicting figures in a reed boat, made by the Moche people of ancient Peru. This vessel provides a fascinating window into Moche society and their relationship with the sea. The Moche civilization flourished along the northern coast of Peru between the 1st and 8th centuries. Their society was highly stratified, with a warrior elite and complex religious beliefs. We can see a narrative of a figure in a reed boat surrounded by others in the chaotic ocean which might illustrate a scene of trade, warfare, or ritual passage. The fineline painting technique itself speaks to the sophisticated artistry of the Moche, and it provides a valuable record of their beliefs and practices. Understanding this artwork requires the work of archaeologists, art historians, and anthropologists to understand the society from which this pot comes. When we understand its culture, we can truly appreciate this vessel.