Flaring Bowl Depicting a Stepped Zigzag Motif on Inner Rim c. 100 - 500

This flaring bowl was created by the Moche people of ancient Peru, crafted from earthenware. It is a reddish vessel with a unique shape: narrow at the bottom and widening to a flared rim. The stepped zigzag motif around the inner rim is key. In Moche society, ceramics weren't just functional, they served as powerful visual tools. By studying such designs, we can learn about Moche beliefs and social structures. The stepped zigzag, for example, might represent mountains, a vital feature of their environment. It might also symbolize social hierarchy, with each step indicating different levels of power. The vessel’s shape itself could have had ritual significance. Historians examine archaeological reports, study Moche iconography, and even analyze the chemical composition of the clay to better understand the cultural context. The study of this simple bowl reveals the complex relationship between art, society, and belief in ancient Moche culture.