Ancient Peruvian Moche Pottery

While on my quest for the perfect clay crab I found this interesting example.  It is an example of Moche Pottery.  A dominant force on Peru's northern coast, the ancient Moche culture created finely crafted pottery of compelling naturalism.  The Moche culture lived from about 100-800 AD.  These ancient Peruvians used primarily red and white clays/slips while they created spouted vessels of all types.  Their works focused on the passage of fluids as irrigation was the source of their wealth and the foundation of their empire.

Moché, Crab Effigy Vessel, 100–800 AD, ceramic,

gift of Frank Nelson Carroll, Jr., in memory of his grandfather, Francis Lafayette Carroll, II