Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Incan Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A small, smooth vessel, hand-carved from a deep black stone, with a hollowed-out interior. These small stone figures, called "canopas," are the most common ritual effigies known from the Inca. Typically depicting llamas, alpacas, or other camelids, these canopas are often buried in the animals' corrals to protect the herds and increase their fertility. This particular container depicts a llama with a flat base, a raised head with perky ears, and drooping neck folds. The cavity on its back would have been filled with offerings like coca leaves, maize, or animal fat in order to appease the gods. Size: 3.5" L x 1.375" W x 2.5" H (8.9 cm x 3.5 cm x 6.4 cm).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, acquired from Artemis Gallery in 2013; ex-private Pasadena, California, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s

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#140423

Minor nicks to neck, head, body, tail, and interior rim, with fading to some finer features, and light abrasions, otherwise intact and very good.