Of a type referred to as "primitive" Mochica, this splendid vase reflects a return to earlier ceramic styles, most notably Chavin. The development of Peruvian terracotta art was for the most part an organic process, with one regional style gradually flowing into another, evolving over generations. Certain shapes and types remained in use for centuries, while others were occasionally revived after long periods of disuse. Though not typical of its period, this vase makes a strong case for timeless beauty. With its elegantly simple geometric designs, rich, earthy colors, and incised contours, it appeals as much to modern tastes as it surely did to the people who created it.