Chavin Textured Blackware Stirrup Vessel with Mythological Motifs

Chavin potters were masters of texture, making their creations as intriguing to the touch as they are to the eye. Here, the surface of the clay has been stippled in irregular patterns, offering rough contrast with the smooth spout and base and the low relief decoration. The central calligraphic motif, repeated on each side, is mythological in nature, perhaps depicting a bird god. The shape of the bottle is powerfully simple, giving it the overall effect of sculpture. It is amazing that something created centuries ago should be so in tune with modern sensibilities. We share our delight in this work of art with the vanished culture that first shaped it.