Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Jaina/Campeche, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 600 to 850 CE. A mold-formed figural whistle depicting a seated woman wearing a flowing cape. She sits upon crossed legs with her arms gently touching her knees, and her neck is adorned with a beaded and tasseled necklace. Her rounded face boasts almond eyes, a bulbous nose, thin lips, and smooth cheeks beneath a simple headdress with a long back flap. Though the original mouthpiece for the whistle is situated in the middle of the head, the functional mouthpiece rests on his shoulder; it produces a low-pitched sound when used. Size: 4.5" W x 7.25" H (11.4 cm x 18.4 cm).

A stylistically-similar example hammered for EUR 17,625 ($19,963.64) at Christie's, Paris "Art Africain, Oceanien et Precolombien" auction (sale 5094, December 8, 2004, lot 413): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/statuette-en-terre-cuite-jaina-classique-final-4402666-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4402666&sid=8cfc8d82-eb51-49bd-97e1-42c7d3ad676f

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s; purportedly ex-Sotheby's

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#140939

  • Condition: Figure repaired from multiple large pieces with some resurfacing along break lines. Small nicks to base, body, and head, with softening to finer details, and non-functioning original whistle mouthpiece. Light earthen deposits throughout. Shoulder mouthpiece functions properly.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

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

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000