Pre-Columbian, South America, Argentina, La Aguada/Aquada culture, ca. 700 to 1000 CE. A wonderful example of a smoking pipe, hand-carved from mottled dark-gray stone with beige and russet inclusions, bearing a stylized alpaca head as the finial. The tubular pipe body has a drilled cavity that traverses from the mouthpiece up through the head and into the cup-shaped receptacle that enabled the user to efficiently draw the smoke from the pipe. The conical alpaca head finial features finely incised details including narrow ovoid eyes and petite nostrils, a thin mouth, and perky ears protruding from the brow. Smooth surface textures across the stem and finial indicate how the lapidary artisan took pride in not only the function but also the presentation. Size: 8.1" L x 1.5" W (20.6 cm x 3.8 cm); 8.375" H (21.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Arte Textile, Steve Berger collection, San Francisco, California, USA acquired in 2006

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#157059

Repair to bottom of mouthpiece, with nearly invisible resurfacing and light adhesive residue along break lines. Stabilization to one lengthy fissure resulting from mouthpiece damage as shown. Minor abrasions to body, head, and receptacle rim, with small areas of in-fill just beneath both eyes. Great surface smoothness throughout.