Miniature Stirrup-Spout Vessel Possibly 1100 - 1470

This miniature stirrup-spout vessel was crafted by the Chimú people. Notice how the vessel’s form combines spherical and cylindrical shapes, capped with an arching handle. Its metallic surface, patinated with age, creates a play of light and shadow that emphasizes its contours. The structure of the vessel exemplifies a sophisticated understanding of form and function. The stirrup handle, a characteristic of Chimú pottery, acts as both a practical element for carrying and pouring, and a symbolic feature of the artwork. The vessel's compact scale and the addition of delicate beads suggest that it may have been used as a ritual object or personal adornment, reflecting ideas of value and prestige. The contrast between the vessel's robust metallic presence and its miniature size invites us to consider the function of scale in imbuing meaning, challenging our expectations of what constitutes monumentality. Its reduced dimensions prompt an intensified focus on the intricacies of its form and texture.