TAINO DOUBLE FACED CEMI STONE SPIRIT ARTIFACT

Double faced zoomorphic animal cemi. Initial face appears snake like. When looking down on the head a human-like face appears. The recumbent pose is similar to that of a dog. The only naturally occurring fur bearing animals in the islands at the time were solenodons and hutias. Dogs, monkeys and guinea pigs were imported. Quite unusual. Spirit portal pits at shoulders, knees, and hips. A series of drilled dots define vertebrae. Marble. Length 5.80” Private collection curated by Larry Roberts author of “Taino Sculpture, Art of the Gods” and “Taino Hallucinogenic Implements Inhaling the Cosmic Dust” From the Taino culture circa 1000-1500 AD Greater Antilles probably the Dominican Republic. This lot has a reserve.