Moche Stirrup Vessel

A bichrome ceramic stirrup bottle resembling a seated dignitary figure, featuring one hand resting on the knee and the other on the chest. The figure is adorned with a cloak and headdress and has nostril piercings.

Footnotes

This fine example shows the finery of a Moche dignitary with fancy headdress, cape and motifs on the arms.

These vessels were typically utilized in ceremonial and ritual settings, possibly for storing or presenting sacred liquids or offerings. They hold importance as historical artifacts that shed light on the spiritual and artistic traditions of the era.

References

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, Accession Number 64.228.36, for similar.

See Sotheby’s New York, May 1992, lot 12, for a similar figure finished with tan and red highlights.