Cup

Item number Sf798 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

A tall, dark brown wooden cup with a flaring rim. Two geometric motifs alternate in two rows and cover most of the outside of the cup. Nested squares alternate with a six-sided repeated design. A band of connected diamonds encircles the mouth. A narrow metal strap encircles the cup and holds together a vertical crack. The crack is filled with a black substance. A white sustance, probably sand, fills some of the incised designs. Some cracks, chips and insect damage.

History Of Use

The pre-Conquest style of wooden cups were frequently decorated with incised designs (Rowe). The cups were used for drinking maize beer. They are often found in pairs because Inca etiquette requires a man to fill two cups and offer one to the person he wishes to drink with (Rowe). Wooden cups are commonly associated with wealthier burials although precious metal ones were reserved for the nobility and ceramic ones for the lowest ranks.