Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Ocarina with Standing Zoomorphic Figure with Crescent Headdress
(Ancient Americas )
Along with figurines, flutes and whistles were one of the most common artifacts made by ancient Pre-Columbian artists, and they are found in every culture, from the earliest times. This Tairona example closely resembles objects of other mediums (like gold), which are not whistles and depict winged figures. Such whistles are still used among the Kogi people of Colombia, who descended from the Tairona, and the wing forms may refer to shamanic flight.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
The Merrin Gallery, New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Private collection, 1990, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 2009, by gift.
Geographies
Colombia (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 4 1/2 x W: 3 5/8 x D: 1 3/4 in. (11.4 x 9.2 x 4.4 cm)
Credit Line
Anonymous gift, 2009
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
48.2845