Stirrup Spout Vessel in the Form of a Head

Culture: Moche
Period: Early Intermediate period, c.200 BCE–600 CE
Date: 150–0 BCE
Material: Ceramic with pigment
made in: Trujillo, La Libertad department, Peru, South America
Classification: Ceramics, containers
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 6 11/16 × 4 5/16 × 6 5/16 in. (17 × 11 × 16 cm)
Credit Line: Museum Purchase
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 5:1932

NOTES

Distinctive stirrup spout bottles, such as this example, consist of a main chamber below an arched “stirrup” and single spout on top. Stirrup spout vessels are among the oldest ceramic forms found in the Andean region.

These ancient Peruvian vessels were likely used in rituals that routinely involved drink offerings of chicha, a fermented maize beer, and feasting. Based on well-documented archaeological, historical, and contemporary evidence, ritual consumption of food and drink was an important manifestation of power and social relationships in the ancient Andes.

Provenance

- 1932
G. R. Schmidt, Lima, Peru

1932 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from G. R. Schmidt [1]

Notes:
[1] An invoice dated February 5, 1932 from G. R. Schmidt to the City Art Museum documents this purchase, listed as "2 pieces [with 6:1932] pottery from Trujillo" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, January 7, 1932.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.