**Back at auction due to non-paying bidder**

South America, Bolivia, ca. 20th century CE. A pair of interesting carvings done by hand from huamanga, an alabaster stone found in the Andes. Each is rectangular, and appears to depict a farm looked down upon from above, with the roofs of buildings rising from the center and the heads and necks of multiple cows around the edge. One contains a carving of what appears to be a bank, with "$ US" incised into its roof. The base of each stone is essentially uncarved, but smoothed and given edges and corners. These are a type of offering or amulet known as an illa, from a very long Andean tradition. For example, llama-shaped illas have been found at the pre-Columbian site of Tiahuanaco. They are carried in a traditional bag containing coca leaves and are meant to protect livestock. Many are treasured as guardians and passed down from generation to generation of Andean farmers. Size of each: 6.95" L x 3.7" W x 1.3" H (17.7 cm x 9.4 cm x 3.3 cm)

Provenance: private Moore collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired thirty years ago

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#121983

Both have patina from touch/wear with small losses to edges.