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: Very dark grayish brown clay, double-headed bird standing on a tripodal base, the mouthpiece located in tail, the mouth of whistle located on underside at juncture of tail and hollow body of the figure which serves as the resonating chamber; bird's heads face outward in opposite directions, joined by a pierced bridge connecting the two heads; four fingerholes in rectangular configuration on back of figure; modeled heads, incised lines representing wings; two rows of punctuations on upper surface of lower back and tail.
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: Very dark grayish brown clay, double-headed bird standing on a tripodal base, the mouthpiece located in tail, the mouth of whistle located on underside at juncture of tail and hollow body of the figure which serves as the resonating chamber; bird's heads face outward in opposite directions, joined by a pierced bridge connecting the two heads; four fingerholes in rectangular configuration on back of figure; modeled heads, incised lines representing wings; two rows of punctuations on upper surface of lower back and tail.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pottery Whistle
- Period: Pre-Columbian
- Date: 800–1525
- Geography: Costa Rica
- Culture: Costa Rican
- Medium: Clay
- Dimensions: L. 6.1 cm (2-7/16); W. 4 cm (1-11/16 in.); H. 4.3 cm (1-11/16 in.); Wt. 30 g
- Classification: Aerophone-Whistle Flute-whistle
- Credit Line: Gift of John Meigs Keith, 1906
- Object Number: 06.1310.6
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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