Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Inca, ca. 1400 to 1533 CE. A fine hand-carved stone ceremonial bowl featuring high relief snakes across the sides. The vessel's body has a rounded but stable base, the curved walls come up to a thick rim and shallow basin. The 2 snakes with sinuous bodies encircle the exterior, tail tips on one side and their heads positioned on the opposite side. In the Pre-Columbian world, animals were highly symbolic beings and serpents were metaphors for rain and blood, two life-giving fluids. At the same time, they were viewed as creatures that portend great danger. Their ability to shed their skin each year, and thus rejuvenate themselves, also made them symbolic of health and renewal. Snakes were integral to spirituality and such a richly decorated bowl may have served a ritualistic purpose rather than utilitarian. Size: 6.25" Diameter x 2.75" H (15.9 cm x 7 cm)

In their discussion of another Inca basalt vessel with snake motifs in the British Museum, Smarthistory scholars have suggested that such serpentine bowls were probably kept in the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun) or nearby sacred buildings - most likely used to hold offerings or simply water as a means of seeing into the underworld via its reflective surface. The coiled - or in this case sinuous - serpent bodies were most likely intended to resemble flowing water. For more information, please see the article "Inka Stone Vessels," by the British Museum published in Smarthistory, March 1, 2017.

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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#159987

Chips and abrasions across all surfaces. Softening of details on snakes. Intact and very good with mineral and earthen deposits within recessed areas.