Horn

late 19th–early 20th century

Not on view

In former times, side blown trumpets, played by blowing while vibrating the lips into a hole on the side rather than the end of the instrument, were associated with warfare in the Middle Sepik Region of northeast New Guinea. Among the Iatmul people, side blown trumpets were sounded after a raid to announce the arrival of the warriors as they returned to their home village with prisoners or enemy heads. Like many Iatmul instruments, the trumpets were often played in pairs by two men, each using a trumpet with a slightly different pitch, who sounded them in alternation.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Horn
Date: late 19th–early 20th century
Geography: Papua New Guinea, Korewari River region
Culture: Korewori River (?)
Medium: Wood, nassa shells, hair, resin, fiber
Dimensions: H. 23 3/4 x W. 3 1/2 in. (60.3 x 8.9 cm)
Classification: Wood-Musical Instruments
Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Martin Wright Gift, 1980
Object Number: 1980.262
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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