Kavel 282

A very large Taino "zemí" figure from fine-grained sandstone, Dominican Republic. This was likely used as a stand in ceremonies performed at prescribed times throughout the year involving a drug known as cohoba. Spanish accounts describe how zemí figures were used as stands, reliquaries, or personal adornment. Zemí refers not to an object or image but to an immaterial, spiritual, and vital force pertaining to deities and ancestors. - H 49 cm This object comes with a European Union export licence. From the Lindner collection, Munich