Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Inca, ca. 1300 CE - 1500 CE. A handsome carved steatite finial in the form of a llama. In the Inca empire, llamas were more than mere beasts of burden. For the nobility, llamas carried symbolic meaning, and llama figures were traditionally buried with elite members of society. In addition, the Inca deity Urcuchillay was depicted in the form of a multicolored llama. What's more, the indigenous ritually sacrificed llamas to the goddess Paccha Mama (Mother Earth or more literally "Mother World" of the Andes) the fertility goddess who presides over planting and the harvest. Beyond this impressive iconography, the technique and styling's executed by the artist of this piece are paramount. 3-1/2 cm high x 3 cm long

Provenance: Ex-Joel L. Malter Private Collection

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  • Condition: Near choice.

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October 24, 2014 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000