AMICA ID:
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MMA_.1991.419.22
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AMICA Library Year:
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2000
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Object Type:
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Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
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Creator Nationality:
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South American; Columbian
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Creator Name-CRT:
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Columbia, Cauca River Valley (?)
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Title:
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Lime Container (Poporo)
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View:
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Alternate View
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Creation Date:
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5th-10th century
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Creation Start Date:
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400
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Creation End Date:
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999
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Materials and Techniques:
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Cast gold
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Classification Term:
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Metalwork-Container
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Dimensions:
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H. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
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AMICA Contributor:
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Owner Location:
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New York, New York, USA
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ID Number:
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1991.419.22
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Credit Line:
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Jan Mitchell and Sons Collection, Gift of Jan Mitchell, 1991
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Rights:
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Context:
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In Andean South America, there is an indigenous tradition for the ritual use of coca leaves. In Precolumbian times the chief method of using coca was to place a quid of leaves into the mouth and add a small amount of powdered lime, made from calcined seashells. Standard coca-chewing paraphernalia included a small bag for the leaves and a container and a spatula or spoon for the lime. The utensils could be quite elaborate and made of precious materials. Lime containers from Colombia, known as 'poporos,' were often cast in gold in the form of nude human figures or as flasks incorporating raised nude images on each side. Both figures and flasks exhibit great elegance of conception, manufacture, and finish. The shouldered bottle here, adorned on either side with a female figure, still contains powdered lime. |
Related Image Identifier Link:
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MMA_.ao1991.419.22.AV1.tif
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