Handle Spout Vessel in Form of a Royal Messenger with the Head of a Fox c. 100 - 500

This ceramic vessel, created by the Moche people of ancient Peru, depicts a seated figure with the head of a fox. The figure, likely a royal messenger, is adorned with a headdress that features a smaller, round face. This piece, dated between 100 and 500 AD, exemplifies the Moche's mastery of ceramic sculpture, utilizing intricate details to capture the human and animal forms. The use of a fox head, a creature associated with cunning and trickery, suggests a deeper symbolic meaning connected to the figure's role in Moche society. Today, this vessel serves as a reminder of the rich artistic traditions and cultural complexities of the ancient Moche civilization.