Tripod vessel, terracotta

Tripod funeral urns are most noteworthy among the musical instruments in Central America. The legs are hollow and filled with terracotta pellets, which make the feet rattle. Since sound is consciously produced, this type of jars can be considered rattles.
This piece from Costa Rica is an impressive example of such an instrument. Two of the legs have the same ornaments; the third leg shows a hybrid animal. The long, curved legs make it possible to place the vessel over a fire. Ech leg has two vertical sound orifices and contains terracotta pellets.

circa 28,5 x 20,4 x 22,8cm (11 1/4 x 8 1/16 x 9in.)

See more from the Feriz collection.

Source: collectie.tropenmuseum.nl