Vessel in the form of vegetables 6th-15th century

This vessel, made by the Lambayeque people, is an earthenware bottle shaped like a cluster of gourds or vegetables. The reddish-brown clay has been carefully worked to create a smooth, burnished surface. The walls of the vessel are relatively thin, suggesting the use of molds or sophisticated coiling techniques. Notice the fine, subtle patterns impressed onto the gourds, adding visual interest. The labor of harvesting and preparing the clay, forming the vessel, and firing it in a kiln would have involved significant time and skill. The vessel's design reflects the Lambayeque culture's deep connection to agriculture and the natural world. The choice of humble vegetables as a subject elevates everyday life to art. Thinking about how this object was made, and what it meant to the people who used it, helps us expand our understanding of value, moving beyond conventional distinctions between fine art and craft.