Pre-Columbian Art / Taíno Culture Bone Spatula - 13.8 cm
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A Taíno pre-Columbian ritual vomitive spatula, carved from bone and depicting a figure with prominent eyes, from the Dominican Republic, dating to circa 1000–1500 AD.
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Description from the seller
[Pre-Columbian Art / Taíno Culture] Ritual anthropomorphic vomitive spatula carved in bone – Dominican Republic / Greater Antilles, c. 1000–1500 CE.
Rare and remarkable ritual vomitive spatula (Spatula vomitiva) attributed to Taíno pre-Columbian culture (Greater Antilles / Dominican Republic).
Ritual Context (Cohoba Ceremony): Vomitive spatulas held a central sacred role in the purification rituals of Taíno shamans and caciques. Before ingesting the hallucinogenic Cohoba substance, the spatula was used to purify the body through sacred vomiting, thereby enabling communication with the spirits (Zemis).
Iconography:
The upper part forms a richly carved turned handle representing a figure or Zemi with protruding eyes, arms crossed over the chest, and a folded posture.
The middle section features fine incised geometric engravings.
The lower blade progressively tapers and ends rounded for ritual use.
Material: Carved bone with a natural honey/brown patina developed over time.
Height: 13.8 cm
Width: 3.8 cm
Thickness: 0.8 cm (8 mm)
Gross weight: 57 g
Sale: Please note, the piece is sold alone, without the presentation base.
Overall condition: Good archaeological conservation state with an even ancient patina.
Condition details:
Natural micro-fissures of erosion on the top and back of the head (visible in photos), guaranteed antiquity of the bone material.
Rigid and complete structure, no major restoration
[Pre-Columbian Art / Taíno Culture] Ritual anthropomorphic vomitive spatula carved in bone – Dominican Republic / Greater Antilles, c. 1000–1500 CE.
Rare and remarkable ritual vomitive spatula (Spatula vomitiva) attributed to Taíno pre-Columbian culture (Greater Antilles / Dominican Republic).
Ritual Context (Cohoba Ceremony): Vomitive spatulas held a central sacred role in the purification rituals of Taíno shamans and caciques. Before ingesting the hallucinogenic Cohoba substance, the spatula was used to purify the body through sacred vomiting, thereby enabling communication with the spirits (Zemis).
Iconography:
The upper part forms a richly carved turned handle representing a figure or Zemi with protruding eyes, arms crossed over the chest, and a folded posture.
The middle section features fine incised geometric engravings.
The lower blade progressively tapers and ends rounded for ritual use.
Material: Carved bone with a natural honey/brown patina developed over time.
Height: 13.8 cm
Width: 3.8 cm
Thickness: 0.8 cm (8 mm)
Gross weight: 57 g
Sale: Please note, the piece is sold alone, without the presentation base.
Overall condition: Good archaeological conservation state with an even ancient patina.
Condition details:
Natural micro-fissures of erosion on the top and back of the head (visible in photos), guaranteed antiquity of the bone material.
Rigid and complete structure, no major restoration
Details
Era
Before 1400
Specific region of origin
République Dominicaine / Grandes Antilles
Weight
57 g
Culture
Pre-Columbian Art / Taíno Culture
Century/timeframe
1000-1500 après J.C
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Country of origin
Dominican Republic
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bone
Country acquired from
Belgium
Previous owner acquired from
Inherited
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Height
13.8 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Width
3.8 cm
Depth
0.8 cm
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