Ca. 600-1500 AD. Dominican Republic. Made of marble. Cacique or chief taking a hallucinogenic enema. This is indicated by his facial expression and hands of a secondary being, pulling at an incised crease at the bottom of the statue. This can be seen when the back of the figure is inverted. On the top of the head a large ovate form is carved and engraved with four swirls representing the four sacred corners of the universe: North, South, East and West. The face follows the classical embossed eye and mouth surrounds with the headband connected to ear spools. The Cacique kneels with hands on hips, a traditional pose for one taking an enema. There is a belt embossed between the hands indicating his chiefly position. A gaping hole in the stomach denotes his relationship to the shamanic practice of food deprivation, etc. The determination that this was a Cacique rather than a god was based on the flaccid phallus and the subject’s participating in a hallucinogenic activity. 11 1/2″ long. 11 lbs. Provenance: The Larry Roberts collection, author of “Taino Sculptures, Art of the Gods”, “Taino Hallucinogenic Implements Inhaling the Cosmic Dust”, and the newly released “Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, Rediscovering Caribbean Art”. Museum displays of Taino Art, Orlando Museum of Art and Santa Fe College, Gainesville, Florida. Condition consistent with age and use.
