Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz, Remojadas, ca. 600 to 900 CE. An exceptional terracotta figural whistle depicting a musician standing atop two attenuated legs and holding a drum in his left arm as he raises his right hand in a "halt"-like gesture. Topped by an elaborate headdress comprised of a central spiked mohawk and two horns, his expressive visage displays a sizable, buck-toothed smile, a prominent pointed nose with delineated nostrils, and a pair of closed eyes. The ancient figure is heavily adorned with a pair of bracelets, a beaded belt, a rectangular loin cloth, a chest piece comprised of two horizontal strips, and a yellow-painted jaguar mask. Alternatively, the verso of the figure exhibits a conical mouthpiece through which one can blow to produce a marvelous, high-pitched tone. Size: 6.125" W x 6.5" H (15.6 cm x 16.5 cm); 6.75" H (17.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-W. Knox collection, Arizona, USA; ex-Eisermann collection, Texas, USA, before 2002

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#160659

Missing back support leg. Restoration to proper left foot and chip to right foot. Break to embellishment on right side of head. Loss to back embellishment and peripheries of loin cloth and left ankle adornment. Expected surface wear with nicks/chips and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with lovely earthen and manganese deposits throughout.