Veracruz, Mexico
Remojadas Culture

Terracotta, paint
 ca. 600-800 CE
Height: 7.25 in, Width: 4 in
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge Blown Flutes

Pre-Columbian, sonrientes or ‘smiling faces’ are the most famous pottery figures from ca 600 to 800 CE in the Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz.  They are specifically known as Remojadas after their keystone archaeological site.  This sonriente displays a single tone hole and mouthpiece at the side.  Sonrientes are most often referred to as male, however, this delightful terracotta sonrientes (smiling face) whistle possibly depicts a standing woman wearing a garment called a huipil, that completely covers the upper body, and a long skirt with geometric patterns painted in red.  It may also be considered a small child or dwarf with a large head and small body.  According to Patricia J. Sarro, this ambiguity of gender and age, along with the unusual triangular head shape, suggests that the sonrientes may represent spiritual entities rather than a human being. 

This mold-formed pottery sonrient (smiling face) figural whistle shows an animated posture with one arm up over the head and the other down and to the side.  The face has red painted cheeks and eyes that stare forward through slender almond shaped eyes above a pointed noise, and open black painted lips with a top row of teeth showing.  The face is flanked by two intricately formed ears, each bearing large circular earplugs.  A collar/necklace with a large spherical bead adorns the neck with a cap/headdress atop the head.  The head cap is pierced in one corner, perhaps for suspension. 

Resource:  “Smiling” Figure | Remojadas | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)