The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 17, 2024
Spatula with Carved Lizard
100 BCE–700 CE
Overall: 11.8 x 2.6 cm (4 5/8 x 1 in.)
Location: 232 Andean
Description
Peruvian Indians today regard coca leaf as a sacred substance that creates communion with supernatural forces. The leaves are chewed with powdered lime that in antiquity was stored in containers and scooped with spatulas like those seen here. Aside from its ritual meaning, coca has practical benefits: it is vitamin-rich; like coffee, it induces clear-headedness; and it increases stamina. The lizard spatula is Nasca in style.- What in the World. University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (organizer) (March 1-October 1, 1960).
- {{cite web|title=Spatula with Carved Lizard|url=false|author=|year=100 BCE–700 CE|access-date=17 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1955.83