Runners Bottle
Unknown Artist
4th–7th century
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
H. 12 1/2 x Diam. 6 1/8 in. (31.8 x 15.6 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Containers
Culture
Moche
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Nathan Cummings, 1967
Accession Number
67.167.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Runners Bottle*, a ceramic vessel from the ancient Moche culture of Peru's northern coast, crafted between the 4th and 7th centuries. at 12½ inches tall with a diameter of 6⅛ inches, this double-chambered container—likely featuring the iconic Moche stirrup spout—es both practical and artistic purposes. Made from fired clay, it captures dynamic scenes of men in motion, running with purpose, evoking the energy of ancient athleticism or ritual processions. Moche ceramics are renowned for their realism and narrative power, transforming everyday objects like bottles into storytelling c...