Tiahuanaco Wood & Shell Snuff Tray (Rapero) with Jaguar

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Fine Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Apr 8, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-04-08 10:00:00 2021-04-08 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-6770
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, Chile, San Pedro, Atacama Desert, Tiahuanaco / Tiwanaku, ca. 400 to 700 CE. A fabulous hand-carved wooden snuff tray known as a rapero, presenting a rectangular form with a jaguar perched upon the raised end. The stylized feline stands on all fours with its lengthy body forming a handle and its sinuous tail laying at its rear creating a small loop. The fierce creature's head presents target-motif eyes and prominent jagged teeth, both of inlaid white shells. Incised with a zigzag design, the ancient animal faces toward the shallow area, carved out for holding and preparing the hallucinogenic substances. A carved crenellated striation decorates the area to the proper left of the beast. The jaguar was revered throughout the Pre-Columbian world as the mightiest of wild felines and was used as a symbol of power and kingship. The wood has developed a lustrous and smooth texture due to age and use and is well preserved! Size: 6.75" L x 1.875" W (17.1 cm x 4.8 cm); 4.75" H (12.1 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Snuff inhaled through tubes from small trays or tablets was common in the southern Andes where hallucinogen use was widespread… In the Atacama region of northern Chile, the highest concentration of wooden snuff trays has been found in burials in association with other paraphernalia, such as inhaling tubes, spatulas, small mortars and pestles, and snuff powder containers. The snuff, prepared from leaves, resin, and seeds of various plants dried and finely ground, was used to cure various ailments, to alleviate pain and conditions associated with high altitudes, to provide alertness in war and hunting, and to induce trances during rituals and ceremonies."
  
  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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #163037

  Condition

  Collection label on underside. Small loss to tail. A few stable fissures to jaguar with restoration along break lines. Repair to periphery of shallow area with break lines visible. Expected abrasions, scratches, nicks, and a few stable hairline fissures to body as shown, all commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, very nice with lovely earthen deposits and great patina.
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