Pottery Whistle
The production of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic ceramic figures in Central and South America originated about 6,500 years ago in the Andes region of Colombia, then spread along the west coast, from Ecuador to northern Chile and Argentina, and finally farther north into Central America.
Although numerous types of instruments survive from pre-conquest South and Central America, little is known of how they were used. Whistles were often made in animal or human form and probably had ceremonial functions or served as playthings. Smaller whistles in animal shapes, perhaps worn suspended from the neck, frequently have fingerholes that allow variation of pitch. Sometimes, the sound it creates mimics the creature represented.
Description: Grayish brown clay hollow spheroidal form with solid modeled bird-like head; 3 holes, any one of which can be used as a blow-hole while the other 2 are used as finger holes, forming a triangular configuration on the bottom of the spheroidal form; bird's head pierced at back below eyes, possibly for suspension; ornamented with latitudinal band formed by incised lines and row punctuations. (Stewart Pollens and Helen Marr, 1977)
Although numerous types of instruments survive from pre-conquest South and Central America, little is known of how they were used. Whistles were often made in animal or human form and probably had ceremonial functions or served as playthings. Smaller whistles in animal shapes, perhaps worn suspended from the neck, frequently have fingerholes that allow variation of pitch. Sometimes, the sound it creates mimics the creature represented.
Description: Grayish brown clay hollow spheroidal form with solid modeled bird-like head; 3 holes, any one of which can be used as a blow-hole while the other 2 are used as finger holes, forming a triangular configuration on the bottom of the spheroidal form; bird's head pierced at back below eyes, possibly for suspension; ornamented with latitudinal band formed by incised lines and row punctuations. (Stewart Pollens and Helen Marr, 1977)
Artwork Details
- Title: Pottery Whistle
- Date: date uncertain
- Geography: Costa Rica
- Culture: Costa Rican
- Medium: Clay
- Dimensions: Diam. (greatest): 36 cm (14-3/16 in.); H. 52 cm (20-7/16 in.); Wt. 24 gm
- Classification: Aerophone-Whistle Flute-whistle
- Credit Line: Gift of John Meigs Keith, 1908
- Object Number: 08.220.7
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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