Pre-Columbian, Western Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A wonderful pair of hand-built pottery figural whistles. Both playing drums, the larger figure is depicted seated, while the shorter one stands. The seated figure places both hands on the top of his drum as he stares forward from annular eyes with incised pupils above a prominent nose and a thick chinstrap that covers his mouth. A sizable half-circle headdress with a front projecting tumi-shaped embellishment caps his head, as a pair of circular earspools flanks his ancient visage and bangles adorn both wrists. Also resting both hands upon his drum, the second figure is dressed similarly with a tumi-shaped headdress above a headband and a chinstrap that covers his mouth. His face is dominated by a pair of enormous, target-motif eyes and a triangular nose. Four armbands lie at his elbows, and a vibrant orange slip adorns his body. Size of largest: 2.75" W x 4.5" H (7 cm x 11.4 cm)

Each figure presents a slender aperture at the top of their headdress to serve as a blowhole and a square-shaped perforation just below it allowing the air to escape in a lovely whistling sound.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s

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#163582

Both functional. Restoration to nose of shorter figure. Expected surface wear with nicks and abrasions to both, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with lovely manganese deposits and liberal remains of pigments.