19th century carved alabaster fetishes used in animal increase rites in the Altiplano region of Bolivia and Southern Peru. Stone figures such as these were carved by Callawaya - traditional Aymara healers in the region - for use in ceremonies meant to seek the assistance of the spirits for the well being and fertility their herds. The large carving of an Aymara compound shows it surrounded by animals including alpacas, llamas, cattle, and dogs and the interior of the house is filled with large, full grain storage bags. This idealized vision of a prosperous household is a particularly large and elaborate example of this kind of fetish. Also seen are small figures of animals some carved with round openings on their backs that were filled with a ritual mixture of animal fat, powdered coca leaf and other substances during animal increase ceremonies. The figures with such holes are called canopas - an Incan word for such offering vessels that have been in use for similar purposes since pre-Columbian times. These canopas are among the best examples that i am aware of. There are very few surviving examples from the 19th century of this quality and are larger and more elaborate than most others. These come from an old collection. Other figures seen here are called illas and were used in these same rites. This is a great little collection.