Inca. Camelid Conopa, 1470–1532. Stone, 3 1/16 x 2 3/16 x 4 3/4in. (7.8 x 5.6 x 12.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.224.85. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.224.85_threequarter_PS9.jpg)
Inca. Camelid Conopa, 1470–1532. Stone, 3 1/16 x 2 3/16 x 4 3/4in. (7.8 x 5.6 x 12.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.224.85. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.224.85_bw.jpg)
Inca. Camelid Conopa, 1470–1532. Stone, 3 1/16 x 2 3/16 x 4 3/4in. (7.8 x 5.6 x 12.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.224.85. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.224.85_profile_PS9.jpg)
Camelid Conopa
Arts of the Americas
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Counterparts
Small stone figurines, or conopas, of llamas and alpacas were the most common ritual effigies used in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia. These devotional objects were often buried in the animals’ corrals to bring protection and prosperity to their owners and fertility to the herds. The cylindrical cavities in their backs were filled with offerings to the gods in the form of a mixture including animal fat, coca leaves, maize kernels, and seashells.
Pequeñas figurillas de piedra, o conopas, de llamas y alpacas eran las efigies rituales más comunes usadas en el altiplano de Perú y Bolivia. Estos objetos devocionales eran con frecuencia enterrados en los corrales de los animales para atraer protección para sus dueños y fertilidad a los rebaños. Las cavidades cilíndricas en sus espaldas se llenaban con ofrendas a los dioses en forma de una mezcla de grasa animal, hojas de coca, granos de maíz y conchas.
Pequeñas figurillas de piedra, o conopas, de llamas y alpacas eran las efigies rituales más comunes usadas en el altiplano de Perú y Bolivia. Estos objetos devocionales eran con frecuencia enterrados en los corrales de los animales para atraer protección para sus dueños y fertilidad a los rebaños. Las cavidades cilíndricas en sus espaldas se llenaban con ofrendas a los dioses en forma de una mezcla de grasa animal, hojas de coca, granos de maíz y conchas.
CULTURE
Inca
MEDIUM
Stone
DATES
1470–1532
DIMENSIONS
3 1/16 x 2 3/16 x 4 3/4in. (7.8 x 5.6 x 12.1cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER
86.224.85
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1948, provenance not yet documented; by 1948, acquired by Ernest Erickson; December 16, 1986, gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Small black stone vessel (conopa) in the form of an alpaca with a hole in the animal's back forming a small bowl. Stylized head with round muzzle, small rounded ears, a series of folds under the neck, short rounded protruding tail. Legs are not shown.
Condition: Some chips on tail, on rim of opening. Small shallow scratches on surface.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Counterparts
CAPTION
Inca. Camelid Conopa, 1470–1532. Stone, 3 1/16 x 2 3/16 x 4 3/4in. (7.8 x 5.6 x 12.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.224.85. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.224.85_threequarter_PS9.jpg)
IMAGE
threequarter, 86.224.85_threequarter_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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