A pre-Columbian Mochica culture vessel, depicting two lizards in circular motion.

Lizards were important subjects in the Mochica iconography, since certain types of lizards were used as food, not only because of their flavor and nutritive qualities, but also for their reputed aphrodisiacal powers. Another reason may have been that eating certain types of lizards would result in hallucinations, as sought by shamans, since some lizards eat the fruits of plants and trees that were knows to induce hallucinations. Lizards were also symbolic for regeneration because they shed their skin, and it is believed that they also be connected with funerary practices of the Mochica people.

Provenance: from the pre-Columbian art collection of the former ambassador of Peru to Portugal.

Peru, A.D. 200 – 500.

DETAILS:
Height: 16 CM | 6.3 INCHES
Width: 20 CM | 7.9 INCHES

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