Moche Parrot Stirrup-Spout Vessel, Early Intermediate Period, ca. 200 - 700 CE
A ceramic stirrup-spout vessel modeled as a parrot perched upon a cylindrical chamber. The bird is portrayed in profile with a powerful hooked beak, circular eyes, folded wings and a long, tapering tail. Its compact, rounded body is integrated with the vessel’s arched stirrup handle, which rises behind the head to a slightly flared cylindrical spout. The parrot’s principal features are emphasized through sculptural modeling and contrasting areas of reddish-brown and cream-colored slip. Parrots and other brightly colored tropical birds were prized in ancient Peru, particularly along the arid northern coast, where they were obtained through trade with the eastern tropical regions. Their appearance in Moche art may reflect associations with exoticism, prestige and access to distant lands. Medium: Ceramic Dimensions: Height: 7 inches (17.8 cm), Width: 3.25 inches (8.3 cm) Condition: Surface wear, mineral accretions and losses to the slip consistent with age. The vessel is intact and in very good condition overall. Provenance: John A. Moir collection (1857–1938), Mirell Gallery, Florida, then J.K. private collection, Sarasota.