Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chancay, ca. 1000 to 1400 CE. A hand-built pottery vessel bearing a pair of discoid chambers resting atop two flared feet. The vessel's chambers are bridged by a horizontal channel. Atop one chamber stands a stylized effigy of a cacique - a respected village elder - with bent arms held to hips and wearing stacks of beaded necklaces, all beneath an expressive visage and a bicorn headdress. The top of the second chamber features a tall, tapered mouthpiece that creates a high-pitched whistling sound that emanates from the shoulder of the cacique. Covered in cream-hued slip, this is a fine and functional example of ancient Chancay artistry! Size: 7.25" W x 10.375" H (18.4 cm x 26.4 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s

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#108951

Upper section of mouthpiece reattached, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to feet, chambers, cacique figure, and mouthpiece, with softening to some finer details, and minor darkening to scattered areas of pigment. Chips to feet and top of mouthpiece. Nice remains of pigment. Whistle still creates high-pitched sound when air is blown into spout.