Rare Inca Wood Canopa

Pre-Columbian, Central Peru, Inca Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A rare, well-preserved, hand-carved wood canopa, in the form of a camelid with a round but stable base and hollowed-out interior. Small wooden vessels like this one are the most common ritual effigies known from the Inca Empire. Typically depicting llamas, alpacas, or other camelids, canopas are often buried in the animals' corrals to protect the herds and symbolically increase their fertility. The cavity on the back of each vessel would have been filled with offerings like coca leaves, maize, or animal fat in order to appease the gods. Size: 2.75" W x 2.2" H (7 cm x 5.6 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#143627
Condition Report: Intact, with rich patina from age and handling. Light scratching commensurate with age.