Skip to main content

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.

Culture

Chimú

2000–2000

Meet Chimú →

Explore the Collection Further

Chimú
Bottle with Oval Base
999–1469
Chimú
Whistling bottle effigy
999–1469
Chimú
Carved spoon
999–1449
Chimú
Whistling bottle effigy
1000–1499
Chimú
Ceremonial Axe Blade
950–1499
Chimú
Whistling bottle effigy
1000–1499
Chimú
Loin Cloth
999–1469
Moche
Effigy bottle with relief design
100–800
Chimú
Conjoined couple
999–1469
Chimú
Macaw effigy bottle
999–1469
Chimú and Inka-Chimú
Bottle with incised textile pattern
999–1469
Nasca
Effigy frog bottle
2000–600