Storage Vessel (urpu), 15th – early 16th century Inca culture; Peru Ceramic and glaze; 13 x 11 x 9 in. F81.18.1 Bowers Museum Foundation Acquisition Fund Purchase Photo by Minshu Wang

This spouted vessel with conical base, side handles and a central lug with a stylized animal face represents one of the most common types of ceramic vessels from the Inca empire. These types of vessels are referred to as Cuzco bottles (Cuzco was the capital of the Inca empire) or as aryballos, the word used to describe similar globular jars used in ancient Greece. Built using a coiling technique, these types of vessels were designed for optimal functionality. They were used to hold water, probably food and chicha, a fermented corn beer which played a role in Incan ceremony. Transporting the jars was made easy with the use of ropes which were placed through the handles and then wrapped around the central lug; this allowed the jar to be carried on one’s back. The pointed base made it possible to stand the vessel upright when it was set into soft or sandy earth. The two small pierced lugs directly under the rim of the spout held a cover in place which prevented unwanted debris falling inside and from contents spilling out. The warm honey-orange color was produced through oxidation that occurred during the firing process; the bands of designs were made using slip that was applied by hand before firing. The vessel is a perfect example of the elegance the Inca applied to even the most utilitarian of objects.

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