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Snuff Tablet
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Both of these objects feature a creature known as the "Recuay feline," although it could also refer to a fox, dog, or viscacha (a rodent). Whatever its identity, the prominent crest on its head ties it to the supernatural realm, a connection underlined by the deity head that also appears on the dipper and by the ritual function of snuff tablets, which were used to inhale hallucinogenic snuffs during religious ceremonies.
| Artist / Maker | Peru, North Highlands, Recuay style |
|---|---|
| Date | 1–650 CE |
| Culture / Origin | Peru, North Highlands, Recuay style |
| Medium | wood with gold foil |
| Dimensions | Overall: 12.4 x 3 x 1.1 cm (4 7/8 x 1 3/16 x 7/16 in.) |
| Department | Art of the Americas |
| Type | Furniture and woodwork |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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