Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Huari (Wari), Niviera-Lima culture, ca. 1000 CE. A hand-built and highly burnished pottery stirrup vessel with a round but stable base, two gourd-shaped chambers, a conical spout projecting from the top, and a wide strap handle arching across both bodies. The front chamber depicts a standing drummer wearing a red loincloth and a brown sash across one shoulder, holding the handle of a small drum with one hand above his head, and playing the drum with a small beater held in the other hand. Red-and-black stripes adorn the back chamber, and intricate stepped motifs course across the top of the handle. The conical spout doubles as a whistle mouthpiece and produces a high-pitched sound when played. An extremely rare example as Lima, the capital of Peru, is built upon the pyramids and ancient sites of this culture. Size: 6.5" L x 3.125" W x 5.25" H (16.5 cm x 7.9 cm x 13.3 cm).

Provenance: ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA, collected from 1970-2008

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#150520

Minor nicks to face, spout, and bases, with fading to areas of original pigmentation, and green pigment transfer on shoulder of back chamber. Great earthen deposits and nice traces of original pigment throughout. Whistle makes high-pitched sound when played. Old inventory label beneath base of front chamber.