Pre-Columbian, Nazca culture, Peru South Coast, ca. 100 to 400 CE. This is a deep, flared beaker known as a kero (or quero), which was made to hold the fermented maize drink chicha, manioc, or potatoes; it would have ultimately ended its useful life placed inside a tomb with offerings. It has decorations of severed heads wearing elaborate headdresses, representing trophy heads from warfare. These ring the bottom and the top, with a wide band of dark red between them. The bright style is instantly recognizable as Nazca for its bold lines and strong colors. In fact, Nazca pottery has the widest range of colors found in any pre-Columbian pottery! The base is rounded because these objects were made to be placed in sand rather than atop a flat surface. The base has some signs of having been exposed to flame. Size: 7.45" W x 8" H (18.9 cm x 20.3 cm)

Provenance: Ex-California Museum of Ancient Art

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#115293

Piece is intact, with very minor chip to rim and slight wear to paint.