This rare and unusual example of later Peruvian ceramics may have served a ritual function, or it may simply have been a game to test steadiness at drinking parties. As if eager for a drink, an openmouthed man crouches below a large bowl resting on a pedestal. Liquid poured into the bowl would pass through a spout, and, if properly aimed, would enter the man's mouth. Holding the vessel at a wrong angle, however, would splash the drinker. Once into the man's mouth, the liquid would fill the tube on which he sits. From there, it could be consumed from the spout at the end. There is something touchingly human about this fantastic goblet, which uses a complicated method to achieve a simple end. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the imagination of the people who made and used it long ago. HT. 25.3cm(10IN): L. 31cm(12IN)