Pre-Columbian, south coast Peru, Nazca culture, ca. 100 to 400 CE. A pair of elongated spatulas used for the preparation and consumption of potent hallucinogenic drugs, each hand-carved from camelid bone (either llama or alpaca). The first spatula features a rounded tip on one end and an abstract, headless simian creature incised on the opposite end with outstretched arms and legs, a round-tipped tail, and black pigment accentuating the incised striations. The largest spatula bears a scoop end with more of an angular profile as well as a rectangular crocodilian creature with a single protruding limb and repeating square-shaped motifs within the 'scaled' checkerboard ground. Lustrous patina has formed across both tools and imbues them with incredibly smooth surface textures. Size of largest: 10.875" L x 0.9" W (27.6 cm x 2.3 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Bone spatulas like these examples were part of the drug paraphernalia employed by many ancient peoples in Peru as well as across the Atacama Desert region of Chile. Bone spatulas are found in burials alongside trays for spreading powder, inhalation tubes, mortars and pestles, and other various items for the preparation and ingestion of snuff. The snuff mixture was prepared from resin, leaves, and ground seeds and was extensively utilized to induce a hallucinogenic state for shamanic rituals.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950s to 1960s

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#156957

Repair to one end of largest spatula, with very light adhesive residue along break lines; smaller spatula is intact and very good. Both pieces have softening to some incised details, expected ossification, and yellowing to surface coloration. Smooth patina throughout.