Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manabi Province, Bahia culture, ca. 5th century BCE to 4th century CE. A hand-built pottery figural whistle shown wearing an intensely colorful outfit! Bright orange-yellow, red-orange, and blue-gray pigments create an elaborate vestment while parallel black stripes drape down the left thigh, perhaps a belt or sash. The face and hand gesture give the impression that the whistle sound - via 2 sound holes behind the head - is emulating the voice of the singing figure. Size: 3.25" W x 9.25" H (8.3 cm x 23.5 cm); 11.375" H (28.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1980.34.19

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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#175054

Minor chipping, abrasions, and fading to pigments in scattered areas, with light earthen deposits, and a few small spalls, otherwise intact and excellent. Great preservation to painted decorations and figural form. Whistle makes nice sound when played. Modern pink pigment around whistle mouthpiece not indicative of repair and is perhaps remains of old lipstick.