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Monkey effigy ocarina
Maya
Late Classic pPriod
A.D. 650–850
Object Place: Guatemala, Southern highlands or adjacent Petexbatún region
Medium/Technique
Earthenware
Dimensions
12.6 x 10.6 cm (4 15/16 x 4 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Landon T. Clay
Accession Number1988.1219
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Aerophones
DescriptionMold-made, double-torso and double-headed monkey effigy ocarina, the monkeys' torsos merging into a single lower body. The human-like legs, male genitalia and humanoid eyes visible inside the monkeys' orbits suggest a human-monkey composite or a human impersonator (wearing a mask) of a double-headed monkey. Each monkey raises one arm to the top of its head, and two ears of maize around its neck. The ocarina's mouthpiece is at the base of the figure, and two finger holes allow for pitch changes.
ProvenanceBetween about 1974 and 1981, probably purchased in Guatemala by John B. Fulling (b. 1924 – d. 2005), The Art Collectors of November, Inc., Pompano Beach, FL; May 20, 1987, sold by John B. Fulling to Landon T. Clay, Boston; 1988, year-end gift of Landon Clay to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 25, 1989)
NOTE: This is one in a group of Maya artifacts (MFA accession nos. 1988.1169 – 1988.1299) known as the “November Collection” after John Fulling’s company, the Art Collectors of November, Inc. John Fulling sold this group of objects to MFA donor Landon Clay in 1987, and they were given to the Museum the following year.
Evidence suggests that John Fulling built the November Collection from sources in Guatemala between 1974 and 1981. Only a portion of what he acquired during this time came to the MFA in 1988. It is not possible to determine precisely which objects were acquired when or from whom.
NOTE: This is one in a group of Maya artifacts (MFA accession nos. 1988.1169 – 1988.1299) known as the “November Collection” after John Fulling’s company, the Art Collectors of November, Inc. John Fulling sold this group of objects to MFA donor Landon Clay in 1987, and they were given to the Museum the following year.
Evidence suggests that John Fulling built the November Collection from sources in Guatemala between 1974 and 1981. Only a portion of what he acquired during this time came to the MFA in 1988. It is not possible to determine precisely which objects were acquired when or from whom.