Stirrup fineline vessel with deer design
Stirrup fineline vessel with deer design
Date500-600 CE
Mediumceramic
Dimensionsobject: 11 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. (29.2 × 16.5 cm)
ClassificationMATERIAL CULTURE
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Larry and Judi Anderson
Object number2004.57.3
Subject(s)
- animal
- deer
Collection
- Pre-Columbian
- Ancient Americas
On View
Not on viewCollections
Label TextThe Moche culture of ancient Peru is known for its elaborate ceramics. Fineline painting examples are characterized by images painted with thin strokes of dark paint on a light background. These objects give us a glimpse of the lives of the Moche elite with many scenes showing religious rituals, military exploits, and the capture and sacrifice of prisoners. Deer hunts were also a common theme, with the animals often shown with leaf-like ears and spotted fur as in this example. Though the imagery highlighted the roles of the elite in society, fineline painting pottery has been found in both elite and non-elite graves and houses. Some have interpreted this as a sign that it was used in gift-giving rituals which distributed the pottery and its message across all levels of society. Limited in terms of practicality by the stirrup spout shape, signs of wear nevertheless demonstrate that this type of pottery was not just made for decoration or burial. Examples found together with remains of musical instruments and animals suggest it could be used in ritual feasts.
Moche II, Early Intermediate
2nd century BCE - 5th century CE
