COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
CMA_.1958.177
AMICA Library Year:
2002
Object Type:
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Nationality:
North American; Central American; Mesoamerican
Creator Name-CRT:
Peru, North Highlands, Chavín de Huantar(?), Chavín style (1000-200 BC)
Title:
Spoon with Human Figure
Title Type:
Primary
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
c. 500-200 BC
Creation Start Date:
-500
Creation End Date:
-200
Materials and Techniques:
hammered and cut gold
Classification Term:
Metalwork
Dimensions:
Overall: 2.6cm
AMICA Contributor:
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Owner Location:
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
ID Number:
1958.177
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tishman
Provenance:
Juan Dalmau, Peru; Joseph Brummer; Dr. Vladimir G. Simkhovitch
Context:
There seems a link between Chavín religion and appearance of the Andes' first large, precious metal objects. Chavín perhaps introduced revolutionary innovations in metalworking to express the "wholly other" nature of its religion. Elites wore the ornaments as emblems of their ties to this religion and were eventually buried with them. These objects may come from the same group as two now in Washington, D.C.
Spoons may have been used during rituals to snuff hallucinogens or to ingest the powdered lime with which coca leaves are chewed. The hollow handles contain pellets that rattle.
Related Image Identifier Link:
CMA_.AM20020541.tif
