Stirrup-Spouted Vessel in the Form of a Llama (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Llamas were revered throughout the Andes for both spiritual and practical reasons and, along with dogs and some species of birds, they were the only truly domesticated animals in the New World prior to European contact. Llama wool was used extensively for textiles long before sheep were introduced by Spanish colonists. Because of their natural habitat high in the Andes, llamas were considered sacred creatures and were worshipped by the Inca as descendants of the gods.
Pre-Columbian
Early Horizon
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Sandford G. Etherington
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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