Chimú
Whistling bottle effigy
Chimu, 1000-1499
Scroll
Chimú
Whistling bottle effigy
Chimu, 1000-1499
Physical Qualities
Earthenware, 8 3/8 × 7 5/8 × 5 1/4 in. (21.3 × 19.4 × 13.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of A. Harvey and Phyllis K. Schreter, Baltimore
Object Number
1983.180
This example of a mold-made, double-chambered bottle with human effigy is among the most common Chimú ceramic vessel. One chamber shows a lord or chief with double-pointed cap, disc ear spools, collar, and embossed tunic. His upraised arms, positioned at the collar, are carved in low relief. In his proper left hand, the chief grasps a mace or baton. The rear of the chamber shows the lord's raised dot attire. A small hole in the vessel bridge that pierces the vessel wall indicates that the bottle will whistle when both chambers are filled with liquid.
The second, attached chamber bears a spout and is embellished with a segmented pattern of raised dots.
