Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jamacoaque culture, ca. 500 CE. An impressive, mold-made pottery figure of a shaman shown in mid-transformation into a jaguar embellished by liberal remains of green, yellow, red, black, and orange pigments. Standing with both hands stretched outwards at his sides, the fascinating figure displays a thick body, short limbs, a strong chest, and a lengthy tail extending outwards and upwards from his posterior. His large head presents an eccentric visage, comprised of giant ovoid eyes, a beak-like nose, and a rectangular mouth held open to expose his teeth, all capped by a hood-like headdress with a pair of zoomorphic ears extending from the top. His body is heavily adorned with several layers of clothing and decoration, as a large breastplate hangs from his neck and lengthy earrings flank his fierce visage. His head and posterior are each pierced with an annular perforation that allows the figure to function as a whistle. Size: 4.6" W x 6.2" H (11.7 cm x 15.7 cm)

Provenance: private southern California collection, California, USA, acquired through descent 2006; ex-private California collection, USA, before 2000

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#168161

Whistle still functions. Repaired from at least 3 pieces with restoration. Loss to left hand. Expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with liberal remains of pigments and nice remaining detail.