A "qiru" (also spelled kero, quero, or qero) is an ancient Andean cup, often used to drink alcoholic beverages like chicha, and was traditionally used in feasts. They were typically made from wood, ceramics, silver, or gold. Qirus often featured intricate decorations, sometimes with geometric designs or even scenes depicting Inca life, though these latter depictions are more likely from colonial periods. Qirus were decorated by first cutting a shallow pattern on the surface of the cup, then filling the pattern with a durable, waterproof mixture of plant resin and pigment such as cinnabar. The finely incised lines would meet at intersection points that collaborated to create shapes such as triangles, squares, and diamonds. The shapes are organized in two to four horizontal registers. One is generally decorated with lavish, hand-painted, geometric designs that follow the traditional techniques in Písac ceramics. Others, however, may be painted with narrative scenes that show the life of the Inca. Those Qirus which show the life of the Inca were produced in colonial times and are not authentic Incan Qirus. Many times they are solitary, other times they are found together with other types of Peruvian pottery. Qiru production reached its peak between 1000 and 1200 CE but continued after European contact. Qirus are most commonly found in Moquegua, Peru. The Museo Contisuyo in Moquegua has qirus on display. During Inca times, the vessels were typically made in identical pairs. This followed the custom that two individuals were required to drink together and both qirus in the pair would have identical size, shape, and decoration. These pairs were typically used for toasts in ceremonies and were also given along with textiles as gifts as a sign of Inca generosity.

Andean jaguar cup (Qiru)
Peru, 17th-18th century
Wood, pigmented resin, iron, silver

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