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Bought from the estate of an esteemed Cultural Anthropology professor in San Antonio, TX. Not authenticated. No additional information on the item was given, aside from signage that all pieces complied with federal law regarding the sale of antiquities.
Exceedingly rare form- most are in the shape of alpacas or llamas, but this one (maybe one of a kind) is in the shape of a pig and includes the lid. Lid is carved with a lizard and main container finely carved in the shape of a pig. Please note the snout has a prominent break.
Small stone figurines, or conopas, of llamas and alpacas were the most common ritual effigies used in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia. These devotional objects were often buried in the animals’ corrals to bring protection and prosperity to their owners and fertility to the herds. The cylindrical cavities in their backs were filled with offerings to the gods in the form of a mixture including animal fat, coca leaves, maize kernels, and seashells.
As the Incans were only known to raise camelids and guinea pigs, this could be from the western coastal regions where it is theorized there was contact with Polynesian boats that brought pigs, or from post Spanish contact. Either means this is an exceedingly rare piece, with real historic significance.
