Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca
Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca

Inca Stone Canopa in the form of an Alpaca

17813

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Inca Empire, Peru Ca. A.D. 1470 to 1532


A solidly carved black stone votive container (canopa or conopa) in the form of a recumbent alpaca. The animal is rendered with characteristic Inca stylization—a compact, rounded body with squared ears and the face is naturalistically modeled with a protruding muzzle and incised features. A circular cavity hollowed into the back served as the ritual receptacle. Size: 3 inches L. x 2-3/4 inches H. (7.6 x 6.9 cm)


Canopas are among the most distinctive ritual objects of the Inca Empire. Carved from hard stone such as basalt or granite using only hand tools—a labor-intensive process given the absence of metal cutting implements—these votive vessels were filled with a mixture of llama fat, blood, and herbs and buried in fields or pastures at the start of the planting season to ensure the fertility of herds and the success of the harvest. The tradition continues in modified form among modern Andean highland communities, where similar objects known as illa are still used in pastoral fertility rituals. Camelids—llamas and alpacas—were central to Inca economy and cosmology, serving as beasts of burden, sources of wool and meat, and essential sacrificial animals in state and community ceremonies.
Provenance: Ex Queens, New York collection.

Every object is guaranteed authentic and as described, and has been legally acquired and imported in accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations on the movement and sale of antiquities. A signed certificate of authenticity with a description and photograph accompanies this object. Any restoration is described on the invoice.

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