Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manabi, Bahia culture, ca. 500 BCE to 500 CE. A mold-made pottery ocarina in the form of a standing figure atop fused legs, with a mouthhole atop the bulbous head, and keyholes on the verso. The figure is male with petite genitalia and incised patterning throughout, and a high quality 83.3% to 84.1% (equivalent to 20K+) gold nose ring is set in his pierced septum. The stylized body is exaggeratedly rounded throughout, and a massive headdress/coiffure, which may be a reference to the practice of skull-shaping known amongst the Bahia, protrudes from the head. He holds a small child to his chest - however the "child" may be self-referential and actually represent a human shaped ocarina. Pottery figures such as this were not only used for their musical qualities but to furnish a tombs as guardians. Size: 4.5" L x 3" W x 12" H (11.4 cm x 7.6 cm x 30.5 cm); 14.5" H (36.8 cm) on included custom stand; gold quality: 83.3% to 84.1% (equivalent to 20K+)

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

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#173349

Hairline fissure on right arm. Minor surface chips and nicks, otherwise intact. Choice, and ocarina whistle functions!