Duct Flute

late 19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 684

Carved from a single piece of argillite with bone (ivory?) embellishments near the duct window and around the tone holes, this flute-like most argillite wares-was not meant to be functional. Three figures adorn the frontal plane of the flute. Two human figures, with hair extending the length of their backs, are depicted with limbs grasping the flute at the middle and bottom of the shaft. A bird figure, perhaps a hawk or a raven, with outstretched wings is positioned at the end nearest the duct. Form-line design elements are incorporated into the overall composition of the piece.

Artwork Details

Title: Duct Flute
Date: late 19th century
Geography: British Columbia, Canada
Culture: Native American (Haida or Skidegate)
Medium: Argillite, bone
Dimensions: Height: 22 1/2 in. (57.2 cm)
Diameter: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Classification: Aerophone-Whistle Flute-recorder
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.2235
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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