Ca. 600-1500 AD. Fine-grained, heavy jasper-like stone. 6 3/4″ high x 3″ wide x 6″ deep. The body is bent, hands rest on the buttocks, and the feet are uncomfortably curling in a backward position, all physical metaphors for taking transcendent drug as enema. The use of the clyster allows the cohoba or chosen entheogen to bypass the stomach and digestive tract for a faster hallucination. Also, the use of an enema keeps stomach acids from diluting the phenomenological effect of the drug. On the reverse side, the carver has placed an inverted bird’s head between the subject’s hands, cleverly incorporating the butt hollows as eyes and the spine as a beak. The nostrils are pierced. Provenance: From a private Miami, Florida collection. Curated by Larry Roberts, author of Taino Sculpture Art of the Gods, Taino Hallucinogenic Implements Inhaling the Cosmic Dust, and Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, Rediscovering Caribbean Art. BS in Archaeology, University of Florida and BA in Art History, University of Florida. Museum displays of Taino Art, Orlando Museum of Art (2013-2014) and Santa Fe College (2024-Present). Mr. Roberts has been a collector of Caribbean Pre-Columbian art for the last 60 years. Age appropriate wear.
