Published Tairona Ocarina in the Form of a Sun Deity with Jaguar Head

Culture: Tairona Culture/Northern Colombia

Period: 1000-1550 A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 8.6 cm high

Price: 1 200 Euro

Ref: 11050

Provenance: Austrian private collection of Prof. Josef Mairitsch (1938-1994) with the inventory no. M 161. Acquired between 1960 and the early 1980s. In the same family collection since that time. Accompanied by a copy of the collection note and the catalogue page.

Condition: Intact and still playable.

Description: Vessel flute of the Tairona culture in the form of a seated sun deity with a jaguar head. The god sits on the rounded vessel body, which is fitted with four finger holes allowing variation of the tones. He wears a radiant headdress symbolising the sun. The eyes are circular with central perforations, and the mouth is prominently and carefully modelled. The deity is unclothed, sitting with his arms resting on his knees, and exposing his male private parts between his legs. For comparison of the type, see the ocarina in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore (USA) with the accession no. 2009.20.227. Playable. Published in: Josef Mairitsch „Columbus am Wörthersee. Amerika vor Columbus” Katalog zur Sonderausstellung der Kulturabteilung der Landeshauptstadt Klagenfurt vom 1. Juni bis 31. Oktober 1992, p. 99. Mounted on a base.