Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Vera Cruz, ca. 500 to 700 CE. An exceptional, still playable pottery tubular flute topped with a sonriente figure of a lord elaborately adorned in intricate clothing and a magnificent feathered headdress. Standing in an animated posture with feet apart and arms at the elbows, the smiling figure gazes outward wearing a skirt and vest embellished by geometric motifs as a ribbon resembling a feathered serpent extends from one side. Panels of scrollwork and interlaces and bands of repeated motifs characteristic of the art of Veracruz appear in relief on the skirt and flared headdress. The musical nature of the piece combined with the figure's creatively complex composition imbue this example with an air of ceremony and celebration! Size: 1.6" L x 4.4" W x 10.8" H (4.1 cm x 11.2 cm x 27.4 cm); 12.5" H (31.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Note how the gender and age of this figure are unknown, a typical quality of sonrientes. Some scholars posit that this ambiguity along with the unusual, triangular head shape suggests that sonrientes represent spiritual entities rather than human beings.

According to the consignor, this was exhibited at the Everson Art Museum in Syracuse, New York and the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, purchased in September 2023; ex-Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Thomaston, Maine, USA; ex-private Katz collection; exhibited at Everson Art Museum, Syracuse, New York, USA

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#184518

Still functions as a whistle. Professionally repaired with some chipping and adhesive along visible break lines and restoration over other break lines. Some chips to hands and headdress, as well as light surface wear as shown. Otherwise, excellent presentation with impressive preservation of detail and areas of mineral deposits.