Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chancay culture, ca. 1000 to 1400 CE. A hand-built pottery stirrup vessel presenting a pair of upright, discoid chambers resting upon flared feet. Standing atop one body is a stylized cacique - a respected elder or chief - with bent, sinuous arms, a heart-shaped face, and a bicorn helmet flanked with discoid earspools. An arching handle bridges between the standing figure and the tall, tapered spout which doubles as the whistle's mouthpiece; the whistle creates a pleasant, high-pitched sound when air is blown into the spout. Covered in cream-hued slip, this is a fine and functional example of Chancay artistry! Size: 7.7" L x 2.5" W x 10.125" H (19.6 cm x 6.4 cm x 25.7 cm)

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

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#107330

A few hairline fissures to feet, handle, and figure, with abrasions to surface pigment, and softening to some finer details on figure, otherwise intact and very good. Nice remains to slip pigment. Whistle still creates high-pitched sound. Old inventory label beneath one foot.