Stirrup Spout Vessel in Form of a Man Sitting atop a Vegetable c. 100 - 500

This stirrup spout vessel was made by the Moche people out of ceramic. The piece shows a man sitting atop what appears to be a vegetable. The smooth surface of the clay, combined with the burnishing, suggests the artist took great care in preparing the material. Notice how the form is not highly refined but retains a sense of immediacy and hand-formed quality. The narrative scene is carefully rendered, from the man's serene facial expression to the tactile quality of the vegetable. This work offers a valuable glimpse into Moche society. The depiction of a man and a vegetable raises questions about labor, agricultural practices, and social hierarchy. The vessel prompts reflection on the relationship between humans, sustenance, and the natural world, reflecting the culture's world view through the lens of material culture.