Taino. Unique Wooden (lignum vitae) cohoba serving vessel depicting shamanic human to crocodile transformation. Cohoba was the hallucinogen used by the Taino to reach a transcendental state. No other artifice like this known from the Taino ceremonial repertoire. The crocodile was worshiped for its ability to live in and under water as well as on land and believed by the Taino to represent transformation. The Maya believed the four sacred corners of the earth were supported by crocodiles. Some Antillean groups believed the island land masses were crocodile backs. The peculiar nose bulge indicates it’s saurian designation. Long arms and legs are typical representations of the human figure in a skeletal state. This reflects the belief one dies after ingesting cohoba to return reborn with cosmic knowledge. On a museum stand, 33" long,loss to tail. Provenance: Larry Roberts, curator. Ex Rood Collection (1945-1987) to Alfredo Carrada. Roberts is author of the books: "Taino Sculpture, Art of the Gods" and "Taino Hallucinogenic Implements, Inhaling the Cosmic Dust".