Ceremonial Vessel (Aryballos) Possibly 1400 - 1532

This large ceramic vessel known as an aryballos was created by an Inca artist, though its precise date is unknown. The Incas built a vast empire in the Andes during the 15th and 16th centuries, and this vessel offers a glimpse into their culture. The aryballos form was standardized throughout the empire, and used for chicha, a maize beer, in state rituals. The geometric designs may reference social status or regional identity. Note the expertly burnished surface and the small handles and flared lip, practical for carrying and pouring. The Inca empire had an intricate political system that touched all aspects of life. Archaeological research helps us understand the social and political uses of these vessels, reminding us that art is always embedded in a specific time and place.