Lot 86: Chimú Style Blackware Stirrup Spout Vessel

Auction

Estate Auction: Signed Oils, Kosta Art Glass, Vintage, Modern Furniture

Lot Number

86

Status

Sold

Hammer / Price

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Opening Bid

$5.00

Accepted Bids

5

Closed

5/21/26 7:13 PM PT

Description

A Chimú style stirrup spout vessel, replicating a characteristic type of pottery produced by the Chimú culture of ancient Peru between approximately 1100 and 1470 AD. This distinctive handle is shaped like a horse's stirrup, with a single vertical spout rising from the center. This form was popular on Peru's north coast for over 2,500 years. A hallmark of Chimú style is the small animal figure, often a monkey, perched at the joint where the spout meets the stirrup handle. These vessels are famous for their charcoal black color and polished, smooth surface. This finish was achieved through a "reduction firing" process, where oxygen was limited during firing, causing smoke and soot to darken the clay. Created on the north coast of present-day Peru, these earthenware flasks were used for storing and carrying water or other liquids. The Chimú were a sophisticated civilization that flourished before being conquered by the Inca Empire. Their pottery often drew inspiration from the sea and local wildlife, as seen in the frequent use of animal effigies. 7"H Good condition.