Miniature Stirrup-Spout Vessel
1100–1470
Medium
Ceramic and pigment
Dimensions
H. 10.2 (4 in.)
Classification
metal
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
61400
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of the Americas collection, this **Miniature Stirrup-Sp Vessel** exemplifies the masterful ceramics of the Chimú culture which thrived on Peru's northern coast from around 1100 to 1470 CE. Crafted from ceramic with pigment accents and standing just 4 inches (10.2 cm) tall, its delicate stirrup-spout form—two arched spouts joined by a strap handle—allowed for controlled pouring of liquids like chicha (corn beer) without spills, a practical innovation rooted in earlier Andean traditions. The Chimú were renowned for their sophisticated artistry, ble...
About the Artist
Chimú
The Chimú, a preeminent pre-Columbian culture of Peru's northern coast, flourished from approximately 900 to 1470 CE as the Kingdom of Chimor, emerging in the wake of the Moche civilization's decline and incorporating influences from the Sican, Wari, and Cajamarca cultures. Centered in the vast adobe metropolis of Chan Chan—the largest city in the Americas before the Inca, housing up to 60,000 peo...