Lot 123
Pre-Columbian, Chile, San Pedro, Atacama Desert, Tiahuanaco / Tiwanaku, ca. 400 to 700 CE. A fabulous hand-carved wooden snuff tray known as a rapero, presenting a rectangular form with the figure of a bird over a trophy head, both adorned in red and blue shell inlays. The avian creature sits with wings tucked to the sides as it stretches his head forward, displaying blue shell eyes and extending its lengthy beak over the trophy head to point towards the recessed basin of the tray. The expressive face features target motif eyes of red shell inlay, a straight nose, and a huge, open mouth, all surrounded by 4 annular, red shell inlays. Size: 7.4" L x 2.3" W x 1.6" H (18.8 cm x 5.8 cm x 4.1 cm); 4.1" H (10.4 cm) on included custom stand.
According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Snuff inhaled through tubes from small trays or tablets was common in the southern Andes where hallucinogen use was widespread
In the Atacama region of northern Chile, the highest concentration of wooden snuff trays has been found in burials in association with other paraphernalia, such as inhaling tubes, spatulas, small mortars and pestles, and snuff powder containers. The snuff, prepared from leaves, resin, and seeds of various plants dried and finely ground, was used to cure various ailments, to alleviate pain and conditions associated with high altitudes, to provide alertness in war and hunting, and to induce trances during rituals and ceremonies."
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, acquired in the 1950s to 1960s
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#173456
- Condition: A few small stable fissures to wood in areas. Light surface wear with abrading to peripheries and some minor nicks throughout. Otherwise, intact and excellent with great remaining detail and nice patina.
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