Cleveland Museum of Art

Spatula with Carved Head

Date

500–900

Medium

bone with shell inlay

Culture

Peru, Wari style (500-900)

Department

Art of the Americas

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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.

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