Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Inca, ca. 1438 to 1533 CE. An exemplary aryballos-shaped pottery vessel known as an urpu, hand-built and painted with hues of burnt sienna, grey, and black on a light orange ground. The bell-shaped body rises from a conical base, as two strap handles protrude from the lower body. Boasting impressive remains of black glaze, the narrow neck supports a wide flared rim with two downward pointing tabs. A lovely vegetal motif resembling a tree or vertical palm frond adorns one side of the vessel, flanked by four thick vertical bands of burnt sienna, while the area on the other side of the handles is painted a shade of ash grey. The rounded lug below the neck was used for securing a strap through the handles. The most ornate vessels, such as this finely painted urpu, were often used as votive pieces for rituals. Size: 5.375" W x 6.25" H (13.7 cm x 15.9 cm); 6.75" H (17.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Urpus were used for transporting and storing liquids such as chicha (fermented corn beer) and the conical base enabled the vessel to be pushed into sand or soft earth to stand upright. When alpacas were overburdened, human porters carried the urpu vessels on their backs. The tabs below the rim secured a cloth or skin cover over the mouth to prevent spillage. The rounded lug would also secure a strap that ran through the handles and tied the vessel to the porter’s back. A beautiful urpu such as this example may have served as a votive vessel for an elite member of society!

Provenance: ex-private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection, acquired August 20, 2014; ex-Arte Xibalba, Sarasota, Florida, USA; ex-Andrea Sarmiento collection, Miami, Florida, USA; ex-Rodriguez Family collection, Miami, Florida, USA

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#161213

Repair to rim with restoration over break lines. Some resurfacing to base of neck and handles. Expected nicks and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remaining pigments and lovely mineral deposits.