Spatula Item Number: Sf529 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A conical metal shaft with a modelled, quadruped finial. The animal has a large muzzle, a tail, ears and horns. A hole is cast through the thick part of the shaft a centimetre below the finial.
History Of Use
These pin-like artifacts are common in north coast graves from the Moche Period onward. They probably functioned as spatulas for dipping the lime out of a container for use during coca-leaf chewing (Antze). Related objects are more spoon-like and have a flattened tip (Bingham). Some may have functioned as lime bottle stoppers as well (Kaufmann Doig).
Narrative
Inca or colonial style(?); after 1476.
Item History
What
- Name
- Spatula
- Identification Number
- Sf529
- Type of Item
- spatula
- Material
- copper alloy metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast
- Overall
- height 16.0 cm, width 1.7 cm, depth 1.1 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
When
- Creation Date
- between 1476 and 1550
- Collection Date
- between 1949 and 1966
- Ownership Date
- before May 4, 1981
- Acquisition Date
- on May 4, 1981
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 0711/0032