**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manabi Province, Bahia culture, ca. 5th to 1st century BCE. A lovely, mold-made pottery ocarina in the form of a female shown standing with legs together. Presenting a flattened body, the ancient woman holds both hands on her stomach, just below her risen breasts as she wears a lengthy skirt, a collar necklace, thick bangles, a helmet-like headdress, and several orb-shaped ear adornments. Her sizeable head exhibits slit-form eyes, a projecting, hook-shaped nose with a prominent septum ring, a petite open mouth, and a pointed chin. A series of 3 perforations on the verso of the figure's head allows the example to produce a high-pitched whistle when blown. Size: 3.5" W x 9.8" H (8.9 cm x 24.9 cm)

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#158431

Still functions as an ocarina. Repaired from several pieces with break lines visible and restoration. Expected nicks, chips, and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice.