**Originally Listed At $5000**

Pre-Columbian, south coast Peru, Nazca culture, ca. 100 to 400 CE. An exquisite spatula of characteristically elongated form, hand-carved from human arm bone (not humerus to the man who lost this), used for the preparation and consumption of hallucinogenic drugs. Decorating the obverse of the implement is an elaborate rectangular panel consisting of 54 hand-cut inlays tiles, made of spondylus and clam shell along with sodalite (a relative of lapis) in a purple-and-white checkerboard pattern with a pair of orange tiles centering each larger cruciform motif. Along one lateral flange above the tiles are several drilled circles in an abstract grouping, and 3 vertical slits are drilled - one hole at a time - on top. Standing atop the uppermost periphery are 2 stylized zoomorphs - a minimalist reptile head and a standing chameleon with a pair of inlaid turquoise eyes. Custom transportation case included. Size: 11.25" L x 2.25" W (28.6 cm x 5.7 cm); 12.125" H (30.8 cm) on included custom stand; (case): 14" L x 5" W x 4" H (35.6 cm x 12.7 cm x 10.2 cm)

Bone spatulas like these examples were part of the drug paraphernalia employed by many ancient peoples in Peru as well as across the Atacama Desert region of Chile. Bone spatulas are found in burials alongside trays for spreading powder, inhalation tubes, mortars and pestles, and other various items for the preparation and ingestion of snuff. The snuff mixture was prepared from resin, leaves, and ground seeds and was extensively utilized to induce a hallucinogenic state for shamanic rituals. Note: Because of the content, this item cannot ship to the following states - Georgia, Louisiana, or Tennessee - or any international destination.

Provenance: private Superior, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, acquired before 1965

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#177804

Expected ossification commensurate with age, with loss to one shell panel along lower corner, chips and abrasions in scattered areas, and yellowing to some white inlays, otherwise in excellent condition.