Tairona Pottery Ocarina w/ Sitting Cacique

**Originally Listed At $200**

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A hand-built brownware pottery ocarina of a charming half-moon form with a protruding mouthpiece on top. The tumi-shaped body of the instrument features four petite tone holes that change the note of the emitted sound, and incised lemniscate shapes surround a pair of tone holes on either side. Surmounting the ocarina is an elderly figure, perhaps a cacique or shaman, with raised arms, a 'beaded' necklace, and a sash wrapped around his forehead. The ocarina emits wonderful sounds when played. Size: 2.3" W x 2.2" H (5.8 cm x 5.6 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Leonard Kalina collection, California, USA, acquired around 1970

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#152593
Condition Report: Repair to nose of elderly figure, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor abrasions to ocarina body, figure, and mouthpiece, with light softening to some incised details, and light encrustations within some recessed areas. Light earthen deposits throughout. Ocarina emits wonderful notes when played.