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A (also spelled ''kero'', ''quero'', locally also ''qero'') is an ancient Andean
drinking vessel file:Drinkware.jpg , upTypical drinkware The list of glassware includes drinking vessels (drinkware) and tableware used to set a table for eating a meal, general glass items such as vases, and glasses used in the catering industry. It does not incl ...
used to drink
liquids A liquid is a nearly incompressible fluid that conforms to the shape of its container but retains a (nearly) constant volume independent of pressure. As such, it is one of the four fundamental states of matter (the others being solid, gas, an ...
like
alcohol Alcohol most commonly refers to: * Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom * Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks Alcohol may also refer to: Chemicals * Ethanol, one of sev ...
, or more specifically,
chicha ''Chicha'' is a fermented (alcoholic) or non-fermented beverage of Latin America, emerging from the Andes and Amazonia regions. In both the pre- and post-Spanish conquest periods, corn beer (''chicha de jora'') made from a variety of maize land ...
. They can be made from wood, ceramics, silver, or gold. They were traditionally used in
Andean The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the List of mountain ranges#Mountain ranges by length, longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range i ...
feasts. were decorated by first cutting a shallow pattern on the surface of the cup, then filling the pattern with a durable, waterproof mixture of plant resin and pigment such as
cinnabar Cinnabar (), or cinnabarite (), from the grc, κιννάβαρι (), is the bright scarlet to brick-red form of Mercury sulfide, mercury(II) sulfide (HgS). It is the most common source ore for refining mercury (element), elemental mercury and ...
. The finely incised lines would meet at intersection points that collaborated to create shapes such as triangles, squares, and diamonds. The shapes are organized in two to four horizontal registers.
"The Met Museum"
One is generally decorated with lavish, hand-painted, geometric designs that follow the traditional techniques in
Písac Písac or Pisac (possibly from Quechua for '' Nothoprocta'', also spelled ''p'isaqa'') is a Peruvian town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is situated on the Vilcanota River. Pisac is most known for its Incan ruins and large market which a ...
ceramics. Others, however, may be painted with narrative scenes that could possibly be true historical events. Many times they are solitary, other times they are found together with other types of
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...
vian pottery. production reached its peak between 1000 and 1200 CE but continued after European contact. are most commonly found in
Moquegua Moquegua (, founded by the Spanish colonists as Villa de Santa Catalina de Guadalcázar del Valle de Moquegua) is a city in southern Peru, located in the Department of Moquegua, of which it is the capital. It is also capital of Mariscal Nieto Pr ...
,
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...
. The Museo Contisuyo in Moquegua has on display. During
Inca The Inca Empire (also known as the Incan Empire and the Inka Empire), called ''Tawantinsuyu'' by its subjects, (Quechua for the "Realm of the Four Parts",  "four parts together" ) was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The admin ...
times, the vessels were typically made in identical pairs. This followed the custom that two individuals were required to drink together and both in the pair would have identical size, shape, and decoration. These pairs were typically used for toasts in ceremonies and were also given along with textiles as gifts as a sign of Inca generosity.


Cultural Context

production began in the Early Intermediate Period (100-600 CE), which was a time period that witnessed socio-political intensification and saw an increase in the amount of political elites throughout the
Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
. This was only furthered by the ritualistic ceremonies of the time. The cultures of the Andes became intermixed through these ceremonies and they contributed to the further stratification of classes because of their emphasis on hierarchy and authority. played a significant role in these ceremonies. The political importance of the kero is emphasized by the enormous stone portraits that can be found at the epicenter of the imperial center of
Tiwanaku Tiwanaku ( es, Tiahuanaco or ) is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia near Lake Titicaca, about 70 kilometers from La Paz, and it is one of the largest sites in South America. Surface remains currently cover around 4 square kilo ...
,
Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
that contain renderings of . These portraits are extravagant depictions of the political founders that highlight their elite status through their lavish clothing and the presence of a snuff tray and a in each of their hands. There is a strong religious connection with the kero as well. Chicha was known as an important ritual libation and offering in ancient Andean culture. Chicha was served in , where a special goblet version of the was very closely connected to the "Sacrifice Ceremony" depicted on Moche painted ceramics. Many depictions of the show a maize plant emerging from the vessel. These renderings allude to ' use as a pan-Andean offering receptacle for blood to be poured on the ground to guarantee a successful farming season. The used for this purpose are different in that they do not follow the same beaker form as traditional and are metal instead of clay or wood.
"The Art Walters Museum"


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Qiru Drinkware Indigenous ceramics of the Americas Indigenous topics of the Andes Inca Empire 1st-millennium establishments in South America