Published Tairona Okarina in Form of a Sun God with a Jaguar Face

Culture: Tairona Culture/Northern Colombia

Period: 1000-1550 A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 6.2 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 11112

Provenance: Austrian private collection Prof. Josef Mairitsch (1938-1994) with inventory number M 163. Acquired between 1960 and the early 1980s. Thence in the family estate. With a collection note and a copy of the catalogue page.

Condition: Intact

Description: Terracotta vessel flute of the Tairona culture from northern Colombia, depicting a sun god with a jaguar head. The deity is depicted standing, he has short, straight legs and a short upper body. The arms hang down on the sides and rest at hip height. The head is oversized and is dominated by a jaguar mask with baring fangs. The god wears a radial, the sun representing headwear. On the sides two wings protrude, which form the vessel body of the flute with the finger holes. The okarina can still be played today. Published in: Josef Mairitsch “Columbus am Wörthersee. Amerika vor Columbus.” Catalogue for the special exhibition of the cultural department of the state capital Klagenfurt from 1 June to 31 October 1992, page 99.