Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chancay culture, ca. 1000 to 1470 CE. A lovely musical whistling vessel comprised of 2 circular chambers on discoid feet capped with a petite figure and tapered spout, which are connected via a slender bridge-form handle. Adorned with black and cream pigments, the ancient vessel is embellished by tondos of a checkered design on the circular sides of each chamber, as well as a lattice motif atop the handle. The petite figure is shown squatting with his hands on his knees as he gazes forward from bulging, almond-shaped eyes above a prominent nose and closed mouth. A pair of large ears flank his stylized visage, capped by a conical headdress. Heavily adorned, he is dressed in arm bands, anklets, an elaborate breastplate, and face paint. Note the artist's careful attention to detail, as evident in the figure's delineated fingers and toes. This piece is an exemplar of Chancay painted pottery vessels. Size: 8.3" L x 10.3" H (21.1 cm x 26.2 cm)Whistling vessels like this are comprised of one or more chambers with an upper bridge handle often containing the whistle and, in those with two chambers, a lower pottery tube enables air to flow from one chamber to the other. When the bridge handle contains the actual whistle, the sound is activated by means of an airstream which exits the effigy chamber through a small aperture. Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired 1995 to 2010; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.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. #168189