Drinking Vessel (Kero) Possibly 1450 - 1532

This earthenware "kero", or drinking vessel, was created by an Inca artist. While we don’t know when exactly, these vessels were most popular from 1400 until the early 1530s, before the Spanish conquest. The kero speaks volumes about Inca society and its rituals. Imagine holding this vessel during a communal ceremony, perhaps filled with "chicha," a sacred corn beer. The geometric designs aren't merely decorative; they are symbolic, possibly denoting status, lineage, or cosmological beliefs. The act of drinking together from vessels such as this, cemented social bonds, reinforcing the hierarchical structures. Consider how this object embodies the power dynamics of the Inca Empire, yet also fostered a sense of shared identity among its people. It serves not only as a functional item but as a potent symbol of cultural cohesion and spiritual practice. Its simple form carries the weight of a complex civilization.