Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chancay culture, ca. 1000 to 1470 CE. A lovely musical whistling vessel comprised of 2 circular chambers on discoid feet capped with a petite figure and tapered spout, which are connected via a slender bridge-form handle. Adorned with black and cream pigments, the ancient vessel is embellished by tondos of a checkered design on the circular sides of each chamber, as well as a lattice motif atop the handle. The petite figure is shown squatting with his hands on his knees as he gazes forward from bulging, almond-shaped eyes above a prominent nose and closed mouth. A pair of large ears flank his stylized visage, capped by a conical headdress. Heavily adorned, he is dressed in arm bands, anklets, an elaborate breastplate, and face paint. Note the artist's careful attention to detail, as evident in the figure's delineated fingers and toes. This piece is an exemplar of Chancay painted pottery vessels. Size: 8.3" L x 10.3" H (21.1 cm x 26.2 cm)

Whistling vessels like this are comprised of one or more chambers with an upper bridge handle often containing the whistle and, in those with two chambers, a lower pottery tube enables air to flow from one chamber to the other. When the bridge handle contains the actual whistle, the sound is activated by means of an airstream which exits the effigy chamber through a small aperture.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired 1995 to 2010; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s

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#168189

  • Condition: Still functions as a whistle. Collection label on base. Repair and restoration to handle. Chips to spout and periphery of 1 foot. Slight unevenness to feet creating gentle wobble. Expected nicks and abrasions throughout, as shown. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments.

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July 28, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
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Artemis Fine Arts

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