Pre-Columbian, West Mexican, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. An adorable and still functioning pottery double flute boasting the zoomorphic form of an owl with pointed horns, large, a pinched beak, and annular eyes that double as finger holes. Tubular, anthropomorphic arms rise from the sides, bending at the elbows to hold a petite object below the beak. The body of the flute is comprised of 2 hollow cylinders with 4 circular key holes opposite the owl's head, which flattens at the top to form the mouthpiece. In ancient American societies, birds were powerful symbols that represented the realm of the sky and were often associated with shamans. A flute like this may have been used during sacred ceremonies; its sonorous whistle intended to mimic the sweet sound of the animal it represents! Size: 2.3" W x 6.8" H (5.8 cm x 17.3 cm)

Cf. the Walters Art Museum, 2009.20.102.

Provenance: ex-collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired before 1995

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#180082

Professional repair to horns / top of head, with light restoration over break lines; all done very well and difficult to notice. Some areas of fire-darkening, nicks, and abrasions as shown, but otherwise, excellent and playable with rich earthen deposits and minor manganese blooms to surface.