Coast of Manabí, Ecuador
Bahia Culture

Pottery
ca. 200 BCE to 600 CE
Length: 10 in, Width: 4 in, Depth: 2.25 in
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge-blown Flutes

A mold-made terracotta female figure form whistle of the Bahia culture, from the coastal Manabí Province of ancient Ecuador.  This whistle depicts a standing female with hands held to her mid-section. She is adorned with remnants of original black, red, and yellow pigment.  The figure holds high status as evidenced by her elaborate ear ornaments, nose ring, and necklace. Her facial features display coffee bean shaped eyes, wide eyelids, elegant brows, and a bird-shaped nose.  The top of her head shows black paint for hair/headdress, and the long skirt with black paint strips on the side, was painted yellow.  There are two finger holes in the front and in the back, with a blow hole in the back of the head.