Altiplano ritual libation vessels. These were used in important ceremonies such as the "animal increase rite" which has its origins in the Pre-Columbian period. Each bowl is made in one piece - meaning it was laboriously carved from a single piece of very hard wood that would have been traded up from the lowlands. The vessel showing mating llamas is made from ceramic material. They all date to the 19th century or before, have excellent patinas and show ritual usage. These are genuine ritual pieces with true folk art appeal. They were made on the high altiplano of Bolivia at around 12,500 elevation. They were not made as commercial products, but were carved locally, usually by the very shaman who would conduct these rituals. The lone ceramic piece depicts mating Llamas, one wearing a bundle of textiles on it's back. The use of textiles in mating llamas is a well known tradition and shows the importance of textiles to the pastoralist, Aymara society. The smallest of these shows a single bull with a snake carved on its back and coming out of its eye. At some later date another snake was carved into the floor of the bowl. The largest vessel is 11 inches in diameter, the smallest - 6 inches. These are available individually or as a collection at a group price. Old examples like these are rare and these are a select group.