Pre-Columbian, Highlands of Guatemala or Pacific Piedmont Mayan regions, ca. 300-100 BCE - Late Classic period According to archaeological studies misdirected Christian missionaries destroyed many mushroom stones similar to this example as they were believed to be related with the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Only about 200 examples survived this destruction (Stephan F. de Borhegyi 1961). This surviving piece is in the form of a mushroom emerging from the head and tail of a monkey in exaggerated form. Anthropologists and archaeologists have determined that mushrooms were used to induce hallucinogenic trancelike states of shamans. Some mushroom stones were joined by stone receptacles as you see here - the pair used like a mortar and pestle to grind the mushrooms. Mushroom Stone 11"T x 4-1/2D x 4"W Receptacle 3-3/4"T x 6"D

Provenance: Ex- Katherine Byrnes Collection, FL

All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids, papered by our parent company, Artemis Gallery Ancient Art.

The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

Minor surface wear, near choice.