THE JAGUAR

This awesome terracotta sculpture is a look alike of a fierce feline puma baring its canines and bearing in its back a deep conical cup.  The effigy vessel is highly conventionalized, symmetrical and perfectly finished, incised with decorative geometric motifs all over the body. The body is ponderous and the legs are short. The feet are rectangular blocks with broad flat bases. Chavin shamans or priests likely used to prepare hallucinogenic snuff for religious ceremonies, along with stone utensils like these.