Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mexico and northern Central America, Mayan Territories, Late Classic, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A fascinating mold-made ceramic figural whistle, in the form of a shell with a god-like figure with flowing hair emerging from its coiled mouth. The back of the shell is decorated with a profusion of glyph-like symbols above a human face whose eyes and nose are obscured by feathers, with only the chin, prominent mouth, and flared earring visible. Blue pigment marks out the glyphs, feathers, and earring. Shell imagery was deeply symbolic to the Maya; shells came from the sea, which was the primordial space from which the world of humans originated. They also seem to have been closely connected to ideas of wind, moisture, and breath - Chaak, the storm god, is often shown wearing shell ear flares, as is Ehecatl, one of the wind gods. Size: 3.95" W x 5.8" H (10 cm x 14.7 cm); 6.55" H (16.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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#141030

  • Condition: Intact and playable, with excellent remaining pigment.

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December 6, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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