A Huari Wari Culture Wooden Snuff Vessel with Figure. Peru ca. 500-1000 AD.A fine wooden carving

A Huari Wari Culture Wooden Snuff Vessel with Figure. Peru ca. 500-1000 AD.A fine wooden carving ‘poporo’ or lime container representing a male figure holding a vesel, the eyes and headdress embellished with Spondylus shell inserts. A lovely figure and finely carved. Provenance: From a French private collection since 1960’s. Condition: Good overall complete with its spoon, age related wear and patina. In ancient times, this object would have held powdered lime made from calcined seashells. The lime would have been removed from the container through the hole in the top of the figure by means of a little spatula or spoon. Lime was a necessary part of the ritual of coca-leaf chewing; the coca leaves were put into the mouth to form a quid, and the lime was added to activate the drug. Ancient lime containers are known in a variety of different forms and materials, and those of the Wari and Tiwanaku cultures of the eighth and ninth centuries are of particular interest. 16.5cm tall. Good overall complete with its spoon, with age related wear and patina.