Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz culture, ca. 600 to 900 CE. An incredibly ornate pottery whistle of stunning presentation with a lengthy sound tube beneath a standing lord/king figure adorned in intricate vestments. The figure presents with delineated legs beneath a striated skirt, holds both arms out, wears a tab-shaped pendant on a slender necklace, and looks out towards the viewer from behind the brim and chinstrap of a massive headdress. Feathers projecting from each side of the headdress and petite birds above each temple suggest this headdress is avian-themed, and the whistle below creates a pleasing sound when air is blown into the base. Size: 3.8" L x 5.2" W x 13" H (9.7 cm x 13.2 cm x 33 cm); 14.625" H (37.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Katz Collection; exhibited at Everson Art Museum, Syracuse, New York as well as the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, Arizona

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#184651

Professional repair and restoration, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Losses to some peripheral details and central headdress element as shown. Light earthen material, softening to some finer details, and abrasions across scattered areas, otherwise in nice condition. Great sound created from whistle!