PRECOLUMBIAN ART : INCLUDING A SELECTION OF ... - Lempertz

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COLONIAL WOOD CEREMONIAL
KERO HIGHLANDS
16th Century
The drinking vessel carved in chachacoma or
lambran wood (alder tree) with a snarling feline
with square-shaped muzzle, lips pulled back to
show teeth, close set eyes, fl at ears to the sides,
ornately painted in resinous pigments in redorange,
white, ocher, olive green and brown with
two registers with processions of richly attired
Inca fi gures attired in capes and holding staff s
along with two European dignitaries, with faunal
motifs in the fi eld.
Height 15 cm
Cf. Arts de l’Amerique, pl. 137
Keros, which often came in pairs, were used to
consume chica, maize beer. These ritual drinking
vessels during the Inca period were thought
to have been utilized to consolidate relations
between local communities and the Inca state.
According to Spanish chroniclers, in ritual drinking
events of Inca and non-Inca elite, a pair of keros
would be exchanged during the toasts.
€ 1 200 – 1 800
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TWO INCA BAGS
Ca. A. D. 1470-1532
Each pouch woven in camelid wool in a striped
pattern in olive green, rose, orange, pink and
shades of brown and red, one with tassels at the
ends.
32 x 38 and 31.2 x 27 cm
See illustration of one
600 – 800
*155
TWENTY INCA COCA POUCHES
Ca. A. D. 1470-1532
Each woven in camelid wool in white, red, olive
green, dark blue and black with geometric and
fi gural motifs, the satchels attached together in
two rows; some still containing organic remains.
10 x 11 to 6 x 5 cm
€ 700 – 900
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