Blackware Juaco with Cat and Mouse

The piece is a Chimu blackware juaco (vessel) with a cat and mouse facing each other with the mouse looking into the cat's mouth. The vessel was likely meant to carry liquid, and has a spout on top coming out of the cat's back. The cat's tail is curved and connected to the body of the vessel creating a looped handle. The blackware was a part of the representation of Chimu identity. Blackware was a difficult ceramic process that was reserved for works that would be used for state purposes. It would have been recognized by other cultures as Chimu even when they were later conquered.