Pre-Columbian, Peru, Inca Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A hand-carved black-and-white marble votive vessel called a canopa in the shape of a llama. The vessel features a relatively circular body, a nubbin tail, a raised head with perky ears and an attenuated snout, and a wavy dewlap underneath. A large receptacle carved atop the back was intended to hold offerings of maize or animal fat to protect a shepherd's flock while in their pens. The offerings placed within the cavities were often dedicated to Pachamama, the Inca goddess of harvests and fertility. Size: 3.75" L x 1.6" W x 2.875" H (9.5 cm x 4.1 cm x 7.3 cm) Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #172987