Plant motifs on Inca ceremonial vases from Peru*

Abstract

Fourteen Families, 21 genera and 23 species have been described in this work, as motifs identified on the ancient wooden carved and painted vases known as keros. These date from the early colonial or transitional epoch between the pre-conquest Inca styles and those coming later with very strong Spanish influence. Although many of the well-known food, medicinal, ornamental and ritual plants are depicted, a large number of plants known to the Incas, both wild and cultivated, is absent. Certain motifs have been impossible to identify, but it is hoped that future studies may throw considerable light on the decorative and symbolic motifs in this interesting group of vases.