Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chavin, ca. 900 to 200 BCE. Hand-carved from a soapstone-like grey spoon with an abstract jaguar face on the end of the handle, this spoon was probably used in the preparation of hallucinogenic drugs, ritually ingested during religious ceremonies. The jaguar's face is composed of a flattened plane, slightly raised to create a broad snout, with two drilled holes for eyes; pointed ears are in very low relief on the upper part of the handle. The jaguar head was symbolic of the most important god of the Chavin pantheon, Lanzon, whose body was conceived of in Chavin artwork as a combination of zoomorphic and anthropomorphic features. Size: 1.7" W x 3.75" H (4.3 cm x 9.5 cm); 4.45" H (11.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#132572

Small chip from one side of the bowl.