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 llama or alpaca. The animal's eyes are inlaid with turquoise discs. The llama 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. Comes with a custom stand. Size: 2" W x 12" H (5.1 cm x 30.5 cm)

The llama or alpaca was the most important animal in ancient Peru, able to function well at high altitude and possessed of fine, woolly coats that were woven into elaborate patterns and clothed Peruvian elites, alive and as mummies, for thousands of years. The animals were also important religious sacrifices, and the census counting them was only slightly less important than that for humans.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Westermann collection, Germany

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.

#123901

  • Condition: Beautiful patina from handling and age.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 25, 2017 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000