The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Bird-Shaped Container

Bird-Shaped Container

500–900
(500-900)
wood
Overall: 8.4 cm (3 5/16 in.)
Edwin R. and Harriet Pelton Perkins Memorial Fund 1989.66
Location: not on view

Description

Peruvian Indians today regard coca leaf as a sacred substance that creates communion with deities. The leaves are chewed with powdered lime that in antiquity was stored in containers and scooped with spatulas like those seen here. Aside from its ritual meaning, coca has practical benefits: it is vitamin-rich and, like coffee, induces clear-headedness. The lizard spatula is Nasca; the other two are Wari.
  • Alan Lapiner
    Alan Lapiner
  • The Year in Review for 1989. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 6-April 15, 1990).
  • {{cite web|title=Bird-Shaped Container|url=false|author=|year=500–900|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1989.66