Ceremonial Implement 15th-16th century Inca This imposing ceremonial implement, made from algarrobo wood (Prosopis chilensis), features an unembellished lower section terminating in a paddle-like rounded end, and a carefully carved and painted upper section. Six three-dimensional figures holding beakers and wearing crescent headdresses surmount the top of the board, and six avian figures are carved on one side. Bands of avian and geometric designs are carved in low relief and painted with resin-based pigments of red, yellow and green. A semi-circular opening in this upper section may have served as a handle.The figures along the top may represent men, as they wear short tunics. Other wood carvings of a similar form have rows of female figures, or men and women holding hands, as though they were dancing. The avian shapes usually represent sea birds, but fish, monkeys and foxes are depicted on other examples. Some of these wood implements have narrow rounded shafts with broad bottom sect