Lot of 3 Moche Bronze Coca Spoons with Bird Finials

Lot 20

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686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States

Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more

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Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Oceanic by Artemis Gallery

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Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Oceanic

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 18, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-03-18 10:00:00 2021-03-18 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Oceanic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/pre-columbian-tribal-oceanic-6520 Featuring Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, much more. All items have been legally acquired and are legal to sell. Convenient in-house shipping. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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Lot Description

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 500 CE. A fabulous ensemble of three bronze spoons (also called lime spoons), used to prepare lime powder in order to enhance the hallucinogenic properties of drugs like coca. Each spoon has an intricate avian finial atop a long slender body hammered at the end to create a receptacle for the lime powder. All presenting extended beaks, the bird with the longest beak is likely a hummingbird with its characteristically long beak, while the bird with the curved beak and lifted wings may be a macaw parrot. The third avian creature displays a thicker beak and lengthy legs, suggesting it may be a pelican. A wonderful seafoam green patina decorates the surface of all three implements. Size of largest: 0.75" W x 3.375" H (1.9 cm x 8.6 cm); 4.25" H (10.8 cm) on included custom stand.

To the ancients of the Pre-Columbian world, hummingbirds (picaflores in Spanish) were associated with the sun. Appreciated for shiny, iridescent feathering and aerial acrobatics, the hummingbird made for the ideal solar metaphor. Since these birds are known to hover, seemingly motionless, and fly up, down and even backwards, the ancients likened their motions to the sun's hovering in the sky at the solstices when it is also known to reverse its celestial direction. In addition, hummingbirds can assume a torpid state when it is cold at night or during brief periods in the winter. However, they come back to life in the spring warmth. This unique ability to "die" and "resurrect" signified rebirth to the ancients, precisely at a time when planting and, in this sense, "renewed life" occurred.

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

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.

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#161526

Condition

Collection label on base of stand. Some small losses to hammered ends. Otherwise, excellent with rich patina and light encrustations throughout.
Shipping Info
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