Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Paracas culture, ca. 500 to 100 BCE. Wow! This is a fantastic piece, a large bone spatula used for extracting lime from a container as part of the elaborate shamanic ritual of ingesting hallucinogenic drugs. The long bone has a gentle curve to it and most of its length has been hollowed out to form a trough. At one end, tilting upward and facing away from the rest of the trough, is a carved abstract zoomorphic figure - a leaping jaguar. The animal's eyes are inlaid with turquoise discs. The jaguar strains forward, legs carved out, ears back, and mouth open; incised lines form a jagged double wave pattern flowing the length of the body from the eye. Dots and crosses are also incised on the body of the animal. Size: 11.8" L x 1.7" W x 3.5" H (30 cm x 4.3 cm x 8.9 cm); 5.4" H (13.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, acquired in the 1950s to 1960s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#184512

  • Condition: Intact and excellent with beautiful patina from handling and age.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 8, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$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