Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast of Peru, Chavin culture, ca. 1200 BCE. A hand-carved bone snuff tube used for inhaling hallucinogenic substances. Carved from a mammalian bone, though not necessarily human, the singular bone is designed to resemble a spinal column with its multiple discs. Each discoid recess features 3 pairs of shallow notches, perhaps for surfaces that were easier to grasp when experiencing the effects of powerful hallucinogens. Size: 1.1" L x 0.875" W x 7.3" H (2.8 cm x 2.2 cm x 18.5 cm); 7.625" H (19.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, acquired in the 1950s to 1960s

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#184539

  • Condition: Professional repair and restoration to slender top portion, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks, with light earthen deposits, otherwise in great condition. Lower end is filled with wax for mounting.

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May 3, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000