Stirrup-spout vessel with a base formed by lobes and decorated with anthropomorphic sea lions

In the Late Mochica period there was a production of very fine vessels decorated with fine line designs that illustrate complex narrative themes. Recent technological studies have shown that the preparation of these pieces was very simple as opposed to the external finishes, such as surface preparation, slip painting and polishing of the scenes which involved great craftsmanship of the artists engaged in this type of work. The unusual appearance of its base suggests that the bottle corresponds to the “experimental forms” that developed during that period. The base is composed of six lobes, a very unusual feature that could have a symbolic connotation, but could also respond to the interest of the potters to explore the different technical possibilities of the piece.