Stirrup Spout Vessel Depicting Costumed Runners c. 100 - 500

This Stirrup Spout Vessel, created by the Moche people of ancient Peru, is a striking example of their ceramic artistry, dating back to between 100 and 500 CE. The vessel features a distinctive stirrup-shaped spout and a rounded body, adorned with intricate red-painted designs depicting costumed runners. These figures, likely representing warriors or athletes, showcase the Moche's fascination with ceremony and ritual, as seen in their artistic depictions of daily life and mythology. The vessel's presence in The Art Institute of Chicago speaks to the enduring power of Moche art to captivate audiences across time and cultures.