Flaring Bowl Depicting a Deer Hunting Scene on Inner Rim c. 100 - 500

This flaring bowl depicting a deer hunting scene on its inner rim was created by the Moche people, and is now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. The bowl's form is divided into three distinct horizontal zones: the base, body, and rim, each articulated by red bands that create a visual rhythm. The imagery on the inner rim depicts a dynamic hunting scene, framed by a geometric lattice pattern. The deer and hunters are rendered with a stark, linear precision, characteristic of Moche art. The composition’s structure encourages viewers to engage with the artwork in a non-linear fashion, allowing for multiple entry points and interpretations. The bowl's design reflects a sophisticated interplay between form and function, where the act of viewing and interpreting become integral to the artwork's overall meaning.