Tairona Stone Drug Spoon - Brecciated Jasper

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Warehouse Clear Out - Ancient & Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Dec 20, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-12-20 10:00:00 2018-12-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Warehouse Clear Out - Ancient & Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/warehouse-clear-out---ancient-ethnographic-3742
Time to clear out the warehouse, as these lots are going, going, gone... plus a we've added a nice selection of lots brand-new to auction! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  **Originally Listed At $500**
  
  Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A long drug-grinding implement, hand-carved from a mottled red stone with white inclusions known as brecciated jasper. The tool has a tapered handle with a slanted point as well as a large receptacle at one end for grinding lime to mix with coca leaves to permit the narcotic access to the bloodstream. Projecting from the receptacle is a knob-shaped grip with a pair of incised grooves which enable the user to better control the instrument when preparing its contents. Remnants of some original substances are still stuck inside the receptacle. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.2" W x 10.25" H (3 cm x 26 cm); 11" H (27.9 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  According to the Tairona Heritage Trust, "The word 'coca' derives from an Aymara word that means simply 'tree'. Prior to the Conquest, Indians used various names for the several varieties of cultivated Erythroxylum. The Spanish took the name 'coca' from the southern reaches of the Incan empire and bought it into use throughout their domain . . . Coca chewing suffused South American life and the stimulant properties of its leaves have been known from at least the Nazca period (around 500 CE). 'We know this because of the discovery of the mummified remains of a Peruvian potentate of this era accompanied by several bags of coca leaves. In addition, pottery of this period frequently depicts coca chewers with their characteristic distended cheeks.' (Mann J.)" (http://tairona.myzen.co.uk/index.php/culture/the_use_of_coca_in_south_america)
  
  Provenance: private California, USA Collection
  
  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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  #135359

  Condition

  Area of repair to knob handle with minor chips and light adhesive residue along break line. Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age and use, light roughness across most surfaces, and some scratches inside receptacle as expected. Light earthen deposits throughout. Nice traces of original material inside receptacle.
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