Cleveland Museum of Art

Thumb Rest of a Spear Thrower

Date

600–1000

Medium

Bone

Culture

Andes, Wari people

Department

Art of the Americas

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This object was lashed to a spear thrower, where it served as a thumb rest or grip. The imagery is suited to the use: a supernatural being throttles a human, turning its head to expose its throat to a knife the being holds in one hand. Thus, the scene captures the crucial moment of an offering likely intended to assure the benevolence of divine forces. Spear throwers, also called atlatls , use leverage to propel a spear faster and farther.

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