Chimú
Whistling bottle effigy
Chimu, 1000-1499
Scroll
Chimú
Whistling bottle effigy
Chimu, 1000-1499
Physical Qualities
Earthenware, 7 5/8 × 7 5/8 × 5 1/2 in. (19.4 × 19.4 × 14 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of A. Harvey and Phyllis K. Schreter, Baltimore
Object Number
1983.181
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, and embossed tunic. His upraised arms, positioned at the collar, are carved in low relief. In his proper right 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. This bottle lacks the hole.
The second, attached chamber bears a spout and is embellished with a segmented pattern of raised dots and a textile pattern.
