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TAINO PRECIOLUBMIAN ANTHROPIC PURGING STICK

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:NA
TAINO PRECIOLUBMIAN ANTHROPIC PURGING STICK
Taino. PreColumbian. Anthropic purging stick. Extremely well carved in high relief. The subjects pose typically depicts the subject in a visionary state after ingesting a hallucinogen, probably cohoba. The rather small nature of this piece suggests this was a tongue depressor rather than a throat spatula. Tongue depressors were used to induce vomiting by pressing the back of the tongue to induce the purging reflex. Also perforations through the shoulders were likely suspension holes, suggesting the piece was likely worn during cohoba ceremonies. Manatee bone. Length 4.3inches. Taino culture c600-1500AD Greater Antilles. Private collection. This lot has a reserve.