Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Veracruz culture, ca. 6th to 8th century CE. A fascinating, hand-built, terracotta whistle depicting a visage that is at once avian and zoomorphic - note the curved beak projecting below its huge round eyes, those pointed ears above, and the paws or wings below. Clasped in its beak is an upraised human hand. Shiny black chapapote embellishes the features, making for a striking presentation, and two perforations through the wings or paws allow the piece to be suspended, perhaps worn around the neck. In addition to being an intriguing form, the whistle works, producing a marvelous high-pitched tone. Size: 3.5" L x 2.1" W x 1.6" H (8.9 cm x 5.3 cm x 4.1 cm)

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection, purchased June 1, 2020; ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA; ex-Lands Beyond Ltd Gallery, Ken Bower, New York, New York, USA, acquired in 2000s

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#170803

  • Condition: Chips to the hand below the beak. Slight surface wear commensurate with age. Nice mineral deposits (white caliche) and root marks. The whistle works well, producing a high-pitched tone!

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June 22, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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