Moche Stirrup Vessel in the Form of a Fish, 1 CE - 500 CE
Terracotta
8
PF.2048
Further images
The Moche drew a very fine line between the visible world and that of the spirits. They believed that the forces of nature were in the hands of deities whose...
The Moche drew a very fine line between the visible world and that of the spirits. They believed that the forces of nature were in the hands of deities whose constant good will they sought. Moche fishermen worked the coastal waters of Peru in search an abundant food source, all the while placating the fish gods. This elegantly stylized vessel may represent a sea bass or a salmon. It was perhaps burried to ensure the deceased with fish for all eternity. It seems the very epitome of the fish, an animal reduced to its minimal essentials. Its powerful simplicity appeals to the contemporary eye, even as its antiquity is obvious.