Double-Whistle Vessel with Sea Birds

The Peruvian Pelican, one of the largest seabirds of the region, is shown in a life-like manner on the top of the vessel. By contrast, the base is covered with abstract spiraling motifs that may evoke water and land, both of which provided a home for the pelican. Using a simple palette of red, white, and black, the potter was able to create a sense of animation, which would have been heightened when the whistle was blown, perhaps imitating the call of the pelican.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

[Dr. Ernest Lira, Houston and Denver (?), or Dr. Peter Almendariz, Denver (?), or M. Brenner, Geneva (?)]; Paul Shepard, Tucson, Arizona [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Economos Works of Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Private collection, 1988, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 2009, by gift.