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Ocarina
Zenú (Sinú)
AD 900-1500
Object Place: Colombia
Medium/Technique
Earthenware
Dimensions
Overall: 8.3 x 6 x 26.7 cm (3 1/4 x 2 3/8 x 10 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift from the Collection of Shirley and Hy Zaret
Accession Number2008.186
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Aerophones
This flute is decorated with jaguars that may represent totemic beings or spirit companions.
DescriptionVessel flute (ocarina) embellished with three jaguars modeled on top of the instrument. Elongated vessel flutes of this type were made by the Zenú people of nothern Colombia although this flute shares a few stylistic features withTairona pottery objects. Yet the double-cone construction, Y-shaped mouthpiece, four fingerholes with duct mechanism, and proximal end pierced with a suspension are typical of Zenú vessel flutes. They also are frequently decorated with modeled renderings of animals including a jaguar, sea turtle, anteater, caiman or fish.
Provenance1999, J. Osario, Canada; 1999, sold by Osario to Lands Beyond Gallery, New York; sold by Lands Beyond to Hy and Shirley Zaret, Westport, CT; 2008, gift of Shirley Zaret to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 25, 2008)