Antique Pre-Columbian Tairona Culture Ceramic Effigy Ocarina Instrument

Rare antique Pre-Columbian Tairona Culture c. AD 900 – 1550 burnished earthenware “four” holed effigy ocarina in the form of a deity wearing a long dress and a tall elaborate ceremonial headdress, decorated with incised lines, seated on a Double-headed Serpent Throne. The blowhole is found on the top of the deity’s headdress.

This ocarina is a multi-toned whistle with four finger holes on the sides rectangular opening on the back and the mouthpiece at the top of the figure.
 
CONDITION: good overall condition except for one minor crack on the back, minor chips, showing the age and usage with traces of earthen deposits, otherwise intact with good tone with exquisite glossy patina. Free of restorations.

HEIGHT: 13.5 cm (5 5⁄16 inches).

REFERENCES:
1) "Shamans, Gods and Mythical Beasts" by Armand J. Labbe.
2) Schatten uit de Nieuwe Wereld [KONINKLIJKE MUSEA].
 
PROVENANCE: The object came from a private Canadian collection of antiques and was sold by a reputable Canadian auction house in the 1980s.