Peruvian Moche black stirrup spout vessel

Peruvian Moche black stirrup spout vessel
Height: 9"

Stirrup Spout Vessels
(Source: Wiki) A stirrup spout vessel (so called because of its resemblance to a stirrup) is a type of ceramic vessel common among several Pre-Columbian cultures of South America beginning in the early 2nd millennium BCE.

These cultures included the Chavin and the Moche. In these vessels the stirrup handle actually forms part of the spout, which emanates from the top of the stirrup. The jars, which were often elaborately figurative, would be cast from a mold, while the stirrup spout was built by hand and welded to the vessel with slip.

In the river valleys of the North Coast of Peru, the Moche (moh-chay) culture grew and flourished at around c. AD 100. For nearly 600 years the Moche culture developed and expanded throughout the major river valleys in the dry coastal plains of Peru. The Moche built large monumental temples, vast irrigation canals and systems, and an impressive wealth of artwork and ceramics.

Moche artwork provided an extremely varied account of activities done throughout the time, and important figures and resources. Moche artwork included men, women, plants, gods and deities, and anthropomorphic figures engaging in activities such as hunting, fishing, combat, sexual acts, warfare, and ceremonial events. Archeology regarding the Moche has been able to uncover a vast amount of artwork, mostly through the survival of Moche ceramics. The Moche were especially adept at the creation of stirrup spout vessels, using them largely for the creation of fine wares, but also for intricately sculpted forms such as portraits of Moche leaders. Stirrup spout vessels appeared early in the Andean region. They can be formed in spherical, oblate, cylindrical, cube-like, angled, or molded forms. The Moche created thousands of these stirrup spout vessels throughout the duration of the culture. These were used for both practical as well as artistic purposes.

There are two main classifications of stirrup spout vessels in Moche ceramics. One form was the process of creating a three-dimensional mold and using this to form the clay into an intricate image or figure. One of the most popular Moche ceramic styles was the creation of what is now called Moche portrait vessels. These vessels were extremely detailed and intricate, usually depicting the heads and figures of adult men. Because of the detailed nature of these vessels, it is believed that they are depictions of real, high ranking, men throughout the Moche culture.

portrait vessel featuring paralysis, Larco MuseumThe second classification of Moche ceramics is the creation of Fineline painting on pottery. This artistic style provides a wealth of information regarding life and beliefs throughout the Moche culture. It provides information on Pre-Colombian daily life, narrative mythology, and ritual practices throughout the region. These Fineline paintings have been given five different categories by researchers Christopher B. Donnan and Donna McClelland, including Vessel Forms, Daily Life, the Natural World, the Supernatural, and Narrative Themes
Condition Report: Good condition overall