Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Chorrera to Jamacoaque (Jama Coaque) cultural transition, ca. 500 BCE to 500 CE. Wow! An incredible and rare whistling vessel, composed of two jars, one figural, connected by a flat strap handle and a wide channel below that. The undecorated jar has a nipple-like spout that functions as the mouthpiece on the whistle. Sound emerges from the mouth of the figure, who seems to be a shaman, caught in the act of transforming from human to fierce animal. He wears a splendid, large headdress punctuated by two ear-like projections emerging from the sides, with large dangling cylinders hanging down from them. He stands on flat feet with his hands clenched into fists. His face is a combination of human and animal features, with a bulbous nose, tremendous fangs, and what is either an elongated tongue or a huge labret hanging down to his chest. Red, orange, and turquoise blue pigment colors him brightly. Size: 9" L x 4.5" W x 6.95" H (22.9 cm x 11.4 cm x 17.7 cm)

Shamanic transformation - brought on in part by the ingestion of coca leaves - was a huge part of the iconography of Jamacoaque pottery, a new step from earlier Ecuadorian pottery traditions (Valdivian, Chorrera) that were focused on representations of the body. In this new phase in ancient Ecuadorian society, status and different occupations for individuals suddenly became important to show artistically - suggesting that this was the period when their culture began to stratify and become culturally complex, with individuals in the society having specialized roles like shaman. This fantastic figure stands on its own as a work of art but also reminds us of exciting developments in a long-lost world.

Provenance: private Poway, California, USA collection

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#123277

Loss to one toe. Undecorated area has been repaired and restored. The figural vessel may have been repaired on one ear, but if so the repair is incredibly well done and very difficult to see. The "tongue" has been repaired. Otherwise the figure is in excellent condition with a great deal of remaining turquoise blue pigment.