Ocarina shaped as seated chief

Flutes and bells are all that remain of many musical traditions of the Tairona people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region, Colombia. The importance of these metal, terracotta, and blackware instruments is evident in their carefully detailed incising and punctuation. The symbolic meanings of the effigies are obscure, and the relationship between the forms and their musical functions is unclear. It is believed that musical effigies served as talismans and were played to link the mortal and immortal realms

Ceramic blackware crescent-shaped vessel flute with central male figure of a Deity or ruler seated, with full headdress and clothing.

Painted face with speech scroll from mouth.

Very nice details.

  • Pottery

  • 6 × 7 × 3 cm

    Tairona, Colombia

    c. 1100 - 1500 AD

  • Ex. Malter U.S.A. 1970’s

  • € 900,—