Five Pre-Columbian Ceramic Effigy Whistles & Rattle Figures (Auction 2026-06-05, Lot 66B)

$642.50

A group of five pottery figural effigy whistles and rattles representing several distinct regional traditions, including a mold-made grayware Moche-Chimu rattle figure, a Costa Rican rattle in the form of a standing figure playing a flute, a warrior holding a shield whistle, a bird whistle, and a nude figural whistle. Such figural musical instruments served ritual and ceremonial functions across Pre-Columbian cultures, and this group offers a varied cross-section of form and tradition from multiple regions and periods.

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; Bird Whistle: ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-major gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, primarily acquired between 1985 and 2005

Condition: Good. Chips and abrasions. Warrior whistle is repaired with visible breaklines on the arm and shield. The whistles emit sounds and the rattles function.