Double Spouted Vessel with Snake
Date: 5th-4th century B.C.
Geography: Peru, Ica Valley
Culture: Paracas
Medium: Ceramic, post-fired paint
Dimensions: Overall: 2 x 3 1/4 in. (5.08 x 8.26 cm)
Classification: Ceramics-Containers
Credit Line: Gift of Nathan Cummings, 1963
Accession number: 63.232.84
This is a miniature version of a Paracas double spout and bridge vessel however the body of the vessel is modeled into a snake, albeit this is an otherworldly snake as the creature has heads on both ends. Sloppily executed, the snake’s body is painted, alternating segments in red and yellow. The base of the spouts and faces of the snake are painted orange. A snake with double heads also appears incised with post-fired painted on a double spout and bridge vessel, 64.228.89, and a bowl, 63.232.73. The significance of the double headed snake in Paracas ritual is unknown, however its otherworldliness is characteristic of Paracas iconography. Miniature vessels such as this are assumed to be ritual objects, and this vessel may have held liquid libations just as the more typical size double spout and bridge vessels did.
