Pre-Columbian Moche Culture. North coast of Peru. Moche stirrup-spout erotic vessel depicting two intertwined human figures engaged in a sexual act, modeled in the round with expressive facial features. Executed in dark grey to blackware ceramic with a burnished surface. Erotic vessels such as this are a well-documented and culturally significant aspect of Moche art, often interpreted as relating to fertility, ritual practice, and cosmological beliefs rather than purely erotic intent. Condition: losses to the rim of the spout and surface wear consistent with age; otherwise intact. Time period: Ca. 400 - 700 AD Dimensions: 16 cm high Provenance: purchased at a German auction - with German export license See picture from the auction catalogue.