Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Chorrera culture, ca. 1500 to 300 BCE. A hand-carved, nicely burnished stone object in the form of a jaguar with prominent, incised square teeth and a magnificent spiral carved tail; the stone boasts deep green hues and was likely carved from a very large natural piece of a rare-colored and valuable rock. An incised square pattern gives texture to the body. Four very small, rounded feet and a deep well in the center of the back complete the form. Size: 7.75" L x 2.4" W x 3.55" H (19.7 cm x 6.1 cm x 9 cm)

Although the Chorrera culture is not well known, researchers believe that this item and ones like it served as mortars for grinding the ingredients of hallucinogenic drugs that would be used by shamans to enter a religious trance. However, this example - and some others we know of - does not have scratch marks inside the mortar, suggesting that it was not used for its intended purpose, but was instead made to be placed in a tomb, perhaps used once to place an offering of hallucinogens beside the deceased. The form of the jaguar was revered throughout the pre-Columbian New World for as the mightiest wild feline, its image incorporated into regal vestments. It also speaks to the transformation of the shaman into a half-human, half-animal spiritual creature. See a similar example at the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, USA.

Provenance: Ex-Private Atlanta, GA collection

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#119888

Some surface damage, particularly to one flat side. A past owner has put four small felt pads on the feet.