Description:

Pre-Columbian, north coast Peru, Chavin culture, ca. 900 to 200 BCE. A fine ensemble of three hand-carved lapis lazuli drug mortars exhibiting stunning cobalt blue hues mottled with beige, gray, white, and orange-brown inclusions. Each mortar features stocky walls and a commensurately thick rim, a flat base, and a deep basin into which hallucinogenic ingredients were placed for preparation and subsequent consumption. Incised around the exterior walls are fine linear motifs accentuated with faint red cinnabar, and the largest vessel has broad diamond-shaped motifs across a central band. Displayed together on a custom pyramidal stand. Size: 1.1" W x 1.125" H (2.8 cm x 2.9 cm); 2.625" H (6.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950s to 1960s

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#156979

  • Condition: Each vessel repaired from a few large pieces, with small chips, minor in-fill, and light adhesive residue along break lines. Each piece has minor nicks and abrasions, fading to cinnabar, and light softening to some incised details. Great surface smoothness throughout.

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August 27, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000