Pottery Whistle
Whistle in the shape of a vessel with an iguana on one side.
Although numerous pottery instruments survive from pre-Conquest South and Central America, little is known of how they were used before Spanish invaders ravaged the native cultures. Whistles, trumpets and rattles in animal or human form probably had ceremonial functions or served as playthings. Smaller whistles in animal shapes, perhaps worn suspended from the neck, sometimes have fingerholes that allow variation of pitch.
Although numerous pottery instruments survive from pre-Conquest South and Central America, little is known of how they were used before Spanish invaders ravaged the native cultures. Whistles, trumpets and rattles in animal or human form probably had ceremonial functions or served as playthings. Smaller whistles in animal shapes, perhaps worn suspended from the neck, sometimes have fingerholes that allow variation of pitch.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pottery Whistle
- Maker: Linea Vieja
- Period: Pre-Columbian
- Date: ca. 800–1525
- Geography: Costa Rica
- Culture: Costa Rican
- Medium: Clay
- Dimensions: 7.5cm x 7.5cm x 4.5cm
- Classification: Aerophone-Whistle Flute-whistle
- Credit Line: Gift of John Meigs Keith, 1906
- Object Number: 06.1310.7
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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Costa Rican
ca. 800–1525
Mayan
7th–9th century
Native American (Northwest Coast)
19th century
Native American (Sioux)
ca. 1850–1900
Costa Rican
ca. 800–1525
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