Vintage STONE FETISH Kallawaya Indian Tribe Andes R551

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Inventory Number: R551   TM3688
Country of Origin: Plurinational State of Bolivia.
Basic Description: An authentic Native American hand carved stone fetish or amulet.
Region: Andean altiplano.
Culture: Kallawaya Created/traded to Aymara for use.
Approximate Age: Antique, 20th century.
Materials: Marble-like stone.
Approximate Size: 2 inches long by 1 7/8 inches wide by 1/2 inch thick.
Colors: Off white color.
Condition: Excellent, well-worn condition. The fetish is well polished from handling and stained from u:ntu* and dirt. One corner of the fetish appears lightly etched from burial. There are a couple of tiny minor chips on the edges.

Remarks: Here we offer a very nice and complex Andean fetish representing a complex maze of stone altars, or misas. This is a very nice example primarily for the variety of incised designs on the top of the stone. There are old u:ntu* stains in the incised lines. The sides and bottom of the illa are moderately modified from the irregularity of the original stone.

*U:ntu is greasy fat, primarily from the chests of male llamas. Fresh llama u:ntu has the hardness of refrigerated butter. It is white or pinkish in color, a little less than odorless and is removed in slabs about ½-inch thick to 2-inches thick. Female llamas have nominal chest fat and their u:ntu is not used spiritually. A less valuable and less desirable substitution for llama u:ntu is cow u:ntu, which is a little darker in color and has a strong, rather unpleasant odor. U:ntu is an important spiritual substance used in many Andean rituals. It is often rubbed on ceremonial objects and even on the hands, arms and faces of people participating in rituals. Little effigies are modeled from u:ntu into animal forms such as llamas and burned in sacrificial altar offerings. Usually once a year u:ntu is ceremonially applied to certain ritual objects including effigies and amulets for their protection.

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AKATAKSA
is a Southern Aymara way of saying, "This, our path. "

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