Chavin Jasper Cupisnique Jar - 13th to 5th Century BCE | Pre-Columbian Ritualistic Artifact

Delve into the mystical world of the ancient Chavin with this exquisite Cupisnique jasper jar from Peru's northern coast, a symbol of the Andean civilization's ritualistic heritage. Carved between 1250 BCE and 500 BCE, this jar encapsulates the intricate artistry and spiritual significance of a culture renowned for its ceremonial practices.

Presenting a remarkable artifact of the ancient Andean civilization, this Pre-Columbian Chavin Cupisnique jasper jar is a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the Chavin people who thrived along the northern coast of Peru between 1250 BCE and 500 BCE. This jar, 15mm in diameter and 25mm in height, is masterfully hand-carved from red jasper, a material valued for its beauty and durability.

The jar's surface is adorned with a curvilinear motif culminating in a zoomorphic head, featuring a prominent eye—a motif reflective of the Chavin culture's symbolic lexicon. The size and shape of this jar suggest it was intended to store precious substances, likely for hallucinogenic or medicinal purposes during ritual consumption, as indicated by archaeological findings from the ceremonial center at Chavin de Huantar.

Despite minor nicks to the rim and surface, the jar remains in an excellent state of preservation. It was once part of the esteemed Pepe Schaefer collection in La Quinta, California, and was gifted in 1984 by Bosta Seminarao from Santa Rosa, California, having been imported into the United States in 1955 or earlier.

This piece not only reflects the artistry of the Chavin but also the complex religious ceremonies that were central to their culture. The jar would have been a vessel for substances used in transformative rituals, aligning with the belief in animalistic deities and the power of spiritual metamorphosis.