Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chavin, ca. 1200 to 500 BCE. A stunning, hand-carved shell pendant depicting the transformational stage between shaman and jaguar. The pendant has a curved, oblong form with a biconically-drilled suspension hole on the verso. The obverse side exhibits a seated anthropomorphic shaman, with bent legs and arms, rounded shoulders, and a thick neck. Rectangular eyes, a prominent nose, and bared teeth and fangs comprise the fierce countenance, and a sinuous serpentine face hangs off of both sides of the head. The recessed, carved areas display a fabulous deep-red cinnabar pigment, adding a layer of depth and character to this fantastic artifact! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.5" H (6.4 cm); 4.4" H (11.2 cm) on included custom stand.

The Chavin people lived in the northern Highland Andes, and their capital, Chavin de Huantar, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The artwork of Chavin represents the first widespread artistic style in the Andes. The center of Chavin de Huantar is a massive, flat-topped pyramid, surrounded by lower platforms. Between 1200 and 500 BCE the pyramid space was used for religious ceremonies. The Old Temple, constructed very early in the history of the site, consists of a series of passageways built around a circular courtyard; within were carved stone monuments showing jaguars, serpents, and other figures with transformative and/or anthropomorphic figures.

At the very center is a towering stone stela depicting an anthropomorphic figure with a jaguar head and a human body, believed to be Lanzon, the chief deity of Chavin. Researchers believe that worshippers ingested hallucinogenic drugs, and then were led in the dark through the labyrinthine passageways before entering the central courtyard and coming abruptly face-to-face with the snarling features of the god.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Westermann collection, Germany

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#131907

Expected age-commensurate surface wear and abrasions, fading and light losses to cinnabar embellishments, small nicks to peripheries, and some light discoloration, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout.