Description:

Post-Conquest / Spanish Colonial, Peru, Inca, ca. 15th to 16th century CE. A delightful bronze spoon, used to snort lime powder in order to enhance hallucinogenic properties of other drugs like coca surmounted by the finial of a monkey. The adorable animal appears to climb up the handle of the spoon; its limbs wrapped around the shaft as a sinuous tail coils forth from the posterior. Monkeys were highly symbolic to the ancients of the Americas. Scholars believe that the indigenous were fascinated by the physical antics of these animals, viewing them as parodies of human behavior. Size: 0.5" W x 2.1" H (1.3 cm x 5.3 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection, acquired 1975; ex-Frank Boos collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA

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#182614

  • Condition: Missing bowl of spoon. Weathering to surface as shown. Rich green patina throughout.

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December 14, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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