Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Incan Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A miniature vessel, hand-carved and meticulously smoothed from a yellow-brown quartzite, with a hollowed-out interior. Known as "canopas," these small stone figures are one of the most common ritual effigies known from the Incan Empire. Canopas typically depict alpacas, llamas, or other varieties of camelids, and are often buried in the animals' corrals to protect the herds and increase their fertility. This particular container depicts a llama with diminutive eyes, a rounded snout, perky ears, and a small tail, all atop a round but stable base. The cavity on its back would have been filled with offerings like animal fat, coca leaves, or maize in order to appease the gods. Size: 2.25" L x 1.25" W x 1.75" H (5.7 cm x 3.2 cm x 4.4 cm).

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#140944

Softening to some finer details, minor nicks to base, body, and head, and some light abrasions, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout.