Chimú Stirrup Vessel with Monkey Adorno

A small monkey peeks out at the base of the spout, holding on for the ride.

This stirrup vessel with monkey adorno is Chimú, from Chimor, now northern Peru, and dates to 900 to 1470 CE. It is pottery and blackware. Chimú potters worked largely in mold-made blackware, and small animal figures, called adornos, were a favorite addition at the base of spouts and handles. The vessel has a full, rounded body above a flaring pedestal foot. A tall straight spout rises from the shoulder, joined to the body by a looping handle. The monkey crouches where spout meets body. The surface is dark gray with a soft burnish. It is 5.5 inches wide and 9.25 high.

Every vessel benefits from a small, watchful passenger.