One of the most curious forms produced by Moche ceramicists, these shallow containers are often called "dippers" or "popcorn poppers" for their unusual shape. The clay form likely mimicked an earlier form from nature -- the bottle gourd. This example is painted with stylized sea birds and its handle is embellished with the head of a llama, a popular figure in Moche art. There are two dippers in the BMA collection; if you look closely at Moche figure 1974.37.3, you will see a dipper held in the left hand.