**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Hispaniola, Greater Antilles Islands, Taino/ Arawak Indians, ca. 15th to early 16th century CE. An incredible shaman figure that served as both a vehicle and a symbol of Taino hallucinogenic transformation, all skillfully carved from silicified sandstone. A ceremonial stand for a vegetal entheogen known as cohoba, depicting a shaman figure under the influence of the drug. Holding an owl to his chest, the shaman is emaciated with a prominent arched spine, thin shoulders, and bony knees as though fasting. Between his legs is an erect phallus - another sign of cohoba consumption as the drug was known to cause sexual arousal. He displays a drug-induced countenance of gritting teeth and huge, open eyes, as if swelling with tears from the process of inhalation. He sits atop an ovoid plinth, while a discoid platter balances on his head, both adorned by relief decoration of stylized frog symbols. Size: 6.3" L x 4.3" W x 15" H (16 cm x 10.9 cm x 38.1 cm)

The platter acted as a surface on which ground up hallucinogenic powder or paste would have been inhaled by ceremonial participants. The owl he holds is indicative of his shamanic status - owls were considered mediums who guided shamans in their dark endeavors.

Taino art is comprised of many cult objects associated with the worship of "zemis." The term zemi refers to deities, ancestors, or earth spirits. Zemis like this example are believed to be inhabited by powerful spirits. Owners of zemi figures traditionally honored them with offerings of food or precious gifts. Each Zemi had its own identity and name, personality, distinct characteristics, and powers.

Published in “Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, Rediscovering Caribbean Art” by Larry Roberts, page 285, figure 7.264 (Gaithersburg, MD: Signature Book Printing, 2023).

Provenance: private Roberts collection, Gainesville, Florida, USA, acquired in the late 1970s; ex-Thomas Villanova collection, Miami, Florida, USA and Venezuela; ex-Gerald Murphy collection

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#178589

Some nicks, pitting and abrasions to surface, as well as a few stable fissures, all commensurate with age.