Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Jaina/Campeche, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 600 to 850 CE. A mold-formed figural whistle depicting a seated woman wearing a flowing cape. She sits upon crossed legs with her arms gently touching his knees, and her neck is adorned with a beaded and tasseled necklace. Her rounded face boasts almond eyes, a bulbous nose, thin lips, and smooth cheeks beneath a simple headdress with a long back flap. Though the original mouthpiece for the whistle is situated in the middle of the head, the functional mouthpiece rests on his shoulder; it produces a low-pitched sound when used. Size: 4.5" W x 7.25" H (11.4 cm x 18.4 cm).

A stylistically-similar example hammered for EUR 17,625 ($19,963.64) at Christie's, Paris "Art Africain, Oceanien et Precolombien" auction (sale 5094, December 8, 2004, lot 413): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/statuette-en-terre-cuite-jaina-classique-final-4402666-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4402666&sid=8cfc8d82-eb51-49bd-97e1-42c7d3ad676f

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s; purportedly ex-Sotheby's

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#140939

Figure repaired from multiple large pieces with some resurfacing along break lines. Small nicks to base, body, and head, with softening to finer details, and non-functioning original whistle mouthpiece. Light earthen deposits throughout. Shoulder mouthpiece functions properly.