These spoons are claimed to derive from a cache of offerings found on the southern coast of Peru. The objects, however, reflect principally north coast Chimú designs. This pair of small spoons, possibly used for lime or snuff, bear finials that represent a bird overtaking a human figure. If the provenience is accurate, then this group demonstrates the movement of peoples during the Late Horizon (1400-1532 CE), perhaps under Inca imperial rule.

Adapted from

Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes, Label text [1972.23.2.McD; 1972.23.1.McD; 1972.23.4.1.McD; 1972.23.4.2.McD; 1972.23.5.1.McD; 1972.23.5.2.McD], 2015.

• The cache of offerings found on the southern coast of Peru included a number of works in the DMA’s collections, a ceremonial rod (1972.23.2.McD), a featherwork neckpiece (1972.23.1.McD), a pair of coca spoons with bird and animal finials (1972.23.4.1.McD; 1972.23.4.2.McD), a pair of miniature camelid figurines (1972.23.5.1.McD; 1972.23.5.2.McD), and a set of small spoons with bird finial (1972.23.3.1.McD; 1972.23.3.2.McD).