Skip to Main Content

Thumb Rest of a Spear Thrower

600–1000
Bone
Overall: 7.1 x 2.1 cm (2 13/16 x 13/16 in.)
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2017.58
Location: 232 Andean
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

Spear throwers, also called atlatls, use leverage to propel a spear faster and farther.

Description

This object was lashed to a spear thrower, where it served as a thumb rest or grip. The imagery is suited to the use: a supernatural being throttles a human, turning its head to expose its throat to a knife the being holds in one hand. Thus, the scene captures the crucial moment of an offering likely intended to assure the benevolence of divine forces.
Thumb Rest of a Spear Thrower

Thumb Rest of a Spear Thrower

600–1000

Andes, Wari people

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.