Handle Spout Vessel in Form of a Monkey Holding a Jar c. 100 - 500

This earthenware vessel in the form of a monkey holding a jar was made by the Moche people of ancient Peru. The Moche civilization flourished between the 1st and 8th centuries AD, in a region characterized by diverse ecologies and belief systems. Pottery was not merely functional; it was a medium through which the Moche visualized their world. The choice of a monkey as the central figure is telling. Monkeys, found in the Amazon rainforest, were seen as exotic and powerful creatures. This vessel, with its stirrup spout, likely served a ritualistic purpose, perhaps in ceremonies designed to harness the monkey’s perceived strength. The Moche were deeply engaged with their environment. Their artistic choices offer insights into their worldview. The study of such objects, through archaeological reports, ethnographies, and art historical analysis, brings us closer to understanding the complex society that produced them. The meaning of this work lies in its original social and institutional context.