Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Chorrera culture, ca. 9th to 4th century BCE. A greenstone musical instrument, hand-carved and smoothed to look like an elongated seashell, and a carved wooden mallet. The instrument has two drilled piercings through its narrower end, and could likely be worn, tied on a string around the neck or hung from a belt. The stone used is very beautiful, mostly a dark green, with very pale green/creamy yellow in bands across it, and a fascinating patina left from being wrapped in a woven textile. Music has accompanied Ecuadorian life for millennia, and we are aware of Chorrera whistling bottles, sculptures of people playing pipes, and percussive instruments like this one. As we do today, they were played both ritually and during periods of celebration. Size of bell: 2.2" W x 3.6" H (5.6 cm x 9.1 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex B. Parcival collection, France

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Narrowest end of the bell has some small losses around the rim (it was likely once fully smooth). Light surface scratching and wear commensurate with age. The wood, while ancient, is likely not contemporary with the bell. The wood has a crack on one side of the mallet head.