Single Spout Blackware Vessel in the Form of a Duck Possibly 1000 - 1400

This blackware vessel in the form of a duck was created by the Chimú people, who flourished on the northern coast of Peru before the rise of the Inca Empire. The Chimú were master metalworkers and potters, and their ceramics often reflected their close relationship with the natural world, particularly the sea. This vessel, with its elegant, stylized duck form, speaks to the Chimú reverence for animals. Ducks, as creatures that inhabit both water and air, may have held symbolic significance related to the spiritual world. Vessels like these weren’t just functional; they were integral to Chimú life, used in rituals, offerings, and even placed in tombs to accompany the deceased. Notice the small figure perched atop the duck's back. Is it a deity, a ruler, or an ancestor? Its presence reminds us that these objects were deeply embedded in a complex web of beliefs and practices. It invites us to contemplate the Chimú worldview, where the lines between humans, animals, and the divine were perhaps more fluid than we might imagine.