Pre-Columbian Stirrup Vessel from Moche Culture

A ceramic stirrup vessel pot from late Moche culture circa 500-700AD in nowadays Northern Coast of Peru.
The hollow vessel features a rounded body and a stirrup handle and sprout, supported by a short foot ring. The highly stylized surface is decorated with deep relief of linked zoomorphic design. The mysterious motif appears to be a water creature with a triangular head with large circular eyes, a beak-like open mouth, and pointed ears. The geometrical form was shown in the raise pattern that was burnished in a red color. The recessed and the rest part was covered in a yellowish slip. An old paper sticker remains on the base. While the surface decoration with paint is common, the molding or carving are less frequent.
Provenance: From the collection of a deceased benefactor of Wichita Art Musuem, KS and purportedly exhibited in the museum at some point.
For Moche bottles with carved surface, see examples ML002144 and ML002981 in the collection of Museo Larco, Lima, Peru.