Description:

Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A pottery whistle in the form of a transforming human-jaguar shaman figure! The tubular body rests on a flat base with a pair of nubbin legs at the front and an elongated mouthpiece on the verso like a tail. A naturalistic human face seems to emerge from the mouth of a jaguar- the fangs and resting on the forehead and the nose pulled back in a snarl. This fantastical figure was probably at one time painted, giving more clarity to the interesting jaguar head and shaman's visage. There are circular sound holes on the top and base, and this instrument still functions as a whistle! Size: 2.125" L x 1.25" W x 2.125" H (5.4 cm x 3.2 cm x 5.4 cm)

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#170752

  • Condition: Mouthpiece reattached with visible adhesive residue. Some softening to finer details and minor chips. Whistle still functions!

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January 29, 2023 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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