Vessel c. 100 - 200

This ceramic "Vessel" was created by the Moche people. Notice how this sculptural form plays with symmetry and asymmetry. Two figures sit side-by-side, each holding a small bowl, but their expressions and adornments differ markedly, disrupting any simple mirroring. The bodies of these individuals become a canvas for geometric patterns, challenging our perceptions through the use of lines, shapes and texture. The Moche were master potters. This vessel's creamy tones, punctuated by the warm reds in the bowls and decorations, draw us into a study of form and representation. The stirrup spout—iconic in Moche pottery—is a functional element, but also a design component that adds height and balance to the composition. The piece invites us to consider how it destabilizes the traditional notions of portraiture. It’s a fascinating display of how art uses form to challenge fixed meanings and categories.