Flat-Bottomed Stirrup Spout Vessel Depicting Costumed Runners c. 100 - 500

This stirrup spout vessel, crafted by the Moche people, depicts costumed runners, their bodies adorned with elaborate attire. The runners, possibly messengers, are depicted in profile, showcasing their dynamic movement and swiftness, but also their ability to communicate across great distances. The winged figures on the vessel evoke a sense of spiritual transcendence, carrying echoes of Hermes, the Greek messenger god. The act of running itself becomes a symbolic gesture, connecting the terrestrial realm with the divine. We can see a non-linear progression of symbols in the image. The runners, with their elaborate costumes and swift movements, tap into our collective memory, awakening primal associations with speed, agility, and transcendence. The image evokes intense emotional states, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical progression of this motif is visible across many other pieces made in different historical contexts, in which it resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings.