Jar Depicting Mating Rats c. 100 - 500

This ceramic jar, created by the Moche people of ancient Peru, depicts a scene of two rats mating. Dating back to between 100 and 500 CE, the jar is a testament to the Moche's skill in pottery and their interest in depicting everyday life. The naturalistic portrayal of the rats, sculpted in high relief, suggests a level of detail and observation common in Moche art. This piece, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, exemplifies the Moche culture's fascination with animal imagery and their use of pottery as a medium for artistic expression.