Description:

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manabi, Bahia culture, ca. 500 BCE to 500 CE. A mold-made pottery ocarina in the form of a standing figure atop fused legs, with a mouthhole atop the bulbous head, and keyholes on the verso. The figure is male with petite genitalia and incised patterning throughout, and a high quality 83.3% to 84.1% (equivalent to 20K+) gold nose ring is set in his pierced septum. The stylized body is exaggeratedly rounded throughout, and a massive headdress/coiffure, which may be a reference to the practice of skull-shaping known amongst the Bahia, protrudes from the head. He holds a small child to his chest - however the "child" may be self-referential and actually represent a human shaped ocarina. Pottery figures such as this were not only used for their musical qualities but to furnish a tombs as guardians. Size: 4.5" L x 3" W x 12" H (11.4 cm x 7.6 cm x 30.5 cm); 14.5" H (36.8 cm) on included custom stand; gold quality: 83.3% to 84.1% (equivalent to 20K+)

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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#173349

  • Condition: Hairline fissure on right arm. Minor surface chips and nicks, otherwise intact. Choice, and ocarina whistle functions!

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October 27, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000