An Inca Llama or Alpaca Ceremonial Vessel Peru
An Inca Llama or Alpaca Ceremonial Vessel Peru, c. 1400-1550 AD Carved from a translucent stone that transmits light beautifully, perhaps calcite, with a wood plug attached, original to the piece. The eyes are inlaid with bits of spondylus shell with black resin for the pupils. Some of the same black resin mixed with red cinnabar was smeared on the animal's head and tail. In very good condition, the ears were broken in ancient times and filed down, making it impossible to identify if the animal is a llama or alpaca. It was used for many generations and has what appears to be dried animal fat and blood on it. Although the function of these vessels, called canopa, is uncertain, most scholars believe they were for sacrificial offerings of animal fat and blood in order to make the herds and agricultural fields more fertile. Provenance: Private Collection, New York Acquired by the current collection in 1993 Merrin Gallery, New York Length: 2 ¾ inches HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Condition Report: Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,001 and $3,000,000, plus 12.5% of any amount over $3,000,001 per lot.
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An Inca Llama or Alpaca Ceremonial Vessel Peru, c. 1400-1550 AD Carved from a translucent stone that transmits light beautifully, perhaps calcite, with a wood plug attached, original to the piece. The eyes are inlaid with bits of spondylus shell with black resin for the pupils. Some of the same black resin mixed with red cinnabar was smeared on the animal's head and tail. In very good condition, the ears were broken in ancient times and filed down, making it impossible to identify if the animal is a llama or alpaca. It was used for many generations and has what appears to be dried animal fat and blood on it. Although the function of these vessels, called canopa, is uncertain, most scholars believe they were for sacrificial offerings of animal fat and blood in order to make the herds and agricultural fields more fertile. Provenance: Private Collection, New York Acquired by the current collection in 1993 Merrin Gallery, New York Length: 2 ¾ inches HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Condition Report: Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,001 and $3,000,000, plus 12.5% of any amount over $3,000,001 per lot.
