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Feline Mortar
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Size suggests that this Chavín-style mortar was not used to grind bulky staples like corn, but instead pigments or plant hallucinogens used in religious rites to achieve spiritual insight and communion with cosmic forces. This may come from Pacopampa, a site in the northern highlands where elites adopted Chavín deities and worshiped them alongside local deities. These small sculptures illustrate the appeal and the spread of Chavín religion.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Chavín style (900-200 BCE) |
|---|---|
| Date | 700–1 BCE |
| Culture / Origin | Peru, North Highlands, Pacopampa(?), Chavín style (900-200 BCE) |
| Medium | stone, pigment |
| Dimensions | Overall: 5.8 x 11 cm (2 5/16 x 4 5/16 in.) |
| Department | Art of the Americas |
| Type | Stone |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
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