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Nude male effigy whistle
Maya
Late Classic Period
A.D. 600–750
Object Place: Mexico or Guatemala
Medium/Technique
Earthenware: white and red slip paint
Dimensions
17.2 x 9.8 cm (6 3/4 x 3 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Landon T. Clay
Accession Number1983.288
CollectionsAmericas, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Aerophones
DescriptionA nude male figure, with raised arms, clenched hands, and open mouth with bared teeth, convey his pain. His genital area is swollen, suggesting the type of ritual torture sometimes inflicted on war captives during the Classic Period. The figurine is also a whistle, its mouth piece being the man's anus. Traces of red paint embellish the face, body, and legs. The upper chest, shoulders and upper arms are painted white.
Provenance1975, sold by Alphonse Jax (dealer), New York, to Landon T. Clay, Boston; 1983, gift of Landon T. Clay to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 15, 1983)