The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2024

Spatula with Carved Head

Spatula with Carved Head

500–900
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; the other is Wari.
  • {{cite web|title=Spatula with Carved Head|url=false|author=|year=500–900|access-date=28 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1955.57