Handle Spout Vessel in the Form of a Woman Riding a Llama c. 100 - 500

This earthenware vessel, in the form of a woman riding a llama, was created by the Moche people of ancient Peru. The Moche flourished between 200 and 850 CE, and their art gives us invaluable insights into their society. We see here the integration of the natural and social worlds, and the way that the Moche conceived of the relationship between them. Llamas were crucial for transportation, and the rider’s gender suggests that women may have held important roles in trade or governance. The vessel is shaped so that liquid can be poured from the spout, and the image could relate to ritual practices. The ability to create such a complex and lifelike image suggests a sophisticated understanding of ceramic technology. We might examine this vessel alongside archaeological reports and studies of Moche culture, to better understand its role. The artwork's meaning is contingent on its historical and institutional context.