Qero
A qero (or kero) is one of a pair of drinking cups from the Inca culture of the Andes mountains in South America. Qeros were used in chicha (maize beer) drinking rituals and their pairing symbolized the complementary duality of nature.
The wooden qero at the Birmingham Museum of Art, 8 inches tall and 6-7/8" in diameter at the lip, is typical in form. In addition to traditional geometric decoration in "barniz de Pasto" lacquer, the cup displays a narrative scene of seven feather-bedecked Inca men meeting two Spaniards. The presence of figural decoration, as well as its subject, indicates that the cup was fashioned during the Colonial period (1532-1821), and likely during the 18th century.
Birmingham's qero was sold at auction at Sotheby's in New York on November 22, 1993 and purchased by the museum with funds provided by John Harbert III, by exchange.
Reference
- Kelly, Samantha (October 2013) "Cup, colonial period Inca culture, 18th century". Spotlight on the Collection. Birmingham Museum of Art
External link
- Birmingham Museum of Art Home Page.