Lot 119
Pre-Columbian, Mexico to Guatemala, late Maya, ca. 900 CE. A fabulous whistle instrument hand made from pottery with an owl that forms the mouthpiece via the tail and a vent hole on its shoulder. A slender rod with a hole drilled into the base may have functioned as both a handle for playing the instrument and perhaps mounting as a finial when not in use. The whistle functions perfectly, emitting a piercing high tone - a bit like an owl's shriek. The owl was revered by the ancient people for its special characteristics that were associated with the underworld; nocturnal hunters with silent flight feathers, strong talons, and uncanny ability to rotate its head 180 degrees. A single blast on this instrument may have been a ritualistic sound, warning, or harbinger of death to those who heard it. Size: 6.75" L x 2.75" W (17.1 cm x 7 cm)
Provenance: private Ferndale, Michigan, USA collection; ex-private Detroit, Michigan, USA collection, acquired prior to 2004
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#182569
- Condition: Repaired, owl reattached at the feet with visible break line and chip. Manganese desposits throughout. Whistle functions, emiting a high tone!
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| 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 |