Qero (Primary Title)
Kero (Former Title)
Unknown (Artist)
This 17th-century drinking vessel, called qero in the Inca language Quechua, was created by Inca artists during the colonial period in Peru. The Inca often drank vast quantities of corn beer, or chicha, from these vessels during religious holidays and political gatherings. Queros were always made in matching pairs because of the reciprocal nature in which they were utilized during celebrations. In some cases, one person would furnish both vessels and the other person would supply the chicha. The Inca continued to make qeros after the Spanish invasion of South America in the 16th century because of the religious significance of such vessels to indigenous cultures.
Colonial
Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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