South American Silver Cup, Bolivia

Large Ritual Silver Cup

This silver cup has an eight-sided base which rises to a circular rim. It has a foliate-form handle that is further engraved. The body of the cup is chased with geometric around a wide central band of stylised flower motifs. The cup has a pleasing hue and a soft patina.

Known as

awarint kupanaka, such cups are used in the Andes by Quechua, Chipaya and Aymara Indians to offer blessings of cane alcohol during rituals.

Overall, this is a fine example, much larger than most extant examples.

UK art market.