Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Lambayeque Valley, Sican, ca. 800 to 1100 CE. A mold-made, bichrome terracotta whistling vessel depicting a toad with a flat strap handle bridging the toad's head to the conical spout, one of the most charming and beautifully detailed animal effigy vessels we have ever handled. The body of the toad is realistically delineated with fabulous artistic touches, such as the meticulously painted registers of chocolate brown sinuous and stylized geometric motifs across the creamy beige body, spout, and raised foot, the wave patterns and round bubbles suggesting the toad's watery habitat and mottled skin. Along the toad's sides are tadpole forms in repousse, and additional repousse dotted ovoid egg or tadpole motifs grace the toad's neck. The whistle hole is located at the front end of the strap handle, just above the toad's head, and works wonderfully. The toad and frog were associated with rain, water, spring, and rebirth in Pre-Columbian art. Notorious for spawning myriad numbers of eggs, these creatures were easily associated with fertility. Size: 7.75" L x 4.5" W x 7.875" H (19.7 cm x 11.4 cm x 20 cm)

Provenance: Ex-private Thousand Oaks, CA collection

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#118415

End of spout reattached. Small chip to underside of foot and bottom of mouth. Minor surface wear with a few scuffs. Strong remaining pigment.