THREE WOODEN CUPS 'KERO'

Description:

South America, 16th/17th c.
H. 17,2-18 / D. 14,4-16,1 cm
Wood with lacquer painting. Originally, the tapered wooden 'kero' cups were mainly carved geometrically. Later, coloured inlays became popular as well as figural scenes like the pieces on offer here. The 'kero' were mainly used for drinking 'chicha', a type of malt beer.
From an important South German private collection, assembled between 1968 and 1969 - Partly old stabilized cracks in the wood, signs of use, few inlays lost - Partly crusty patina inside