Cup in the Form of a Figure Holding Enlarged Penis Possibly 1100 - 1470

This earthenware cup in the form of a figure holding an enlarged penis was made by the Chimú people. Notice how the artist has sculpted the figure, using smooth contours to emphasize its pose and the stark contrast in size between the figure and the held object. This deliberate distortion of scale destabilizes conventional representations of the human form. The cup, with its porous crown, adds another layer of complexity, transforming the phallic symbol into a vessel. What we see here is a symbolic interplay between power, fertility, and perhaps a critique of social norms, conveyed through the careful manipulation of form and material. This piece prompts us to question fixed meanings.