Inca

Room 3, Vitrine 25

Ceramic
Peruvian Northern Coast
Imperial Epoch (1300 AD – 1532 AD)
ML013788, ML018892, ML021102

One of the characteristic forms of Inca pottery is the urpu, or aryballos. This vessel has a spherical or globular body and side handles. The spouts of these vessels end in an elongated and flattened lip. Another typical element is the application of a small feline head on the front of the vessel.

In Inca art the majority of the ceramics produced were pacchas – ceremonial vessels associated with the worship of water.

A lot of color was employed in the decoration, in keeping with the style of the southern tradition.