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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Fragment; a solid metal bird form with generalized wing and tail shapes. The head has large ringed eyes and thick, hooked beak. The tail is slightly bent. The underside has a broken surface with some filed areas. The casting is quite rough and the surface is pitted. A piece of off-white string is wrapped around the neck.

History Of Use

Probably a finial that has been broken off a spatula like ones from the Inca site of Machu Piccchu (Bingham). Such spatulas were used for dipping lime out of a bottle as part of the coca leaf chewing process.

Narrative

Inca Style, Late Horizon; 1476-1532 C.E.

Iconographic Meaning

The ringed eyes and thick beak are consistent with representations of parrots.

Item History

  • Made in Peru between 1476 and 1532
  • Collected between 1949 and 1966
  • Owned by Anonymous before May 4, 1981
  • Received from Anonymous (Donor) on May 4, 1981

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