Handle Spout Vessel in the Form of Seated Man with Tatooed or Painted Face c. 100 - 500

This is a ceramic handle-spout vessel in the form of a seated man, created by the Moche people of ancient Peru. Such vessels are a distinctive feature of Moche culture, and they offer unique insights into their society. The figure's elaborate tattoos or painted face markings likely denote social status or affiliation. The act of depicting this man in such detail suggests a culture where personal identity and social roles were carefully defined. The vessel itself might have been used in rituals or as offerings, reflecting the integral connection between art, religion, and daily life in Moche society. Archaeological research, along with studies of Moche iconography, can reveal more about the specific social and institutional context in which this vessel was created and used. The meaning of art is never fixed; it evolves as we learn more about the people and cultures that produced it.