Stirrup Spout Vessel with Raised Geometric Scroll Motif
c. 500 BCE
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
H.: 14.6 cm (5 3/4 in.)
Classification
earthenware
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
28176
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Stirrup Spout Vessel, crafted by artists of the ancient Chavín culture around 500 BCE, stands as a testament to one of Peru's earliest complex societies. Made from earthenware ceramic and measuring just 14.6 cm in height, its distinctive stirrup-shaped spout—formed by bridging two chambers—represents a clever innovation in pre-Columbian pottery. This design prevented spills during pouring, making it ideal for serving sacred liquids like chicha (fermented corn beer) in rituals. The vessel's surface features a raised geometric scroll motif, achieved through skilled modeling and a...