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Duct whistle and case
Native American
early 20th century
Object Place: United States, Great Plains region
Medium/Technique
Bone and leather
Dimensions
Length 17.7 cm, diameter 1.2 cm (Length 6 15/16 in., diameter 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Helen and Alice Colburn Fund
Accession Number1984.325.1-2
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Aerophones
DescriptionCylindrical body of eagle bone with V-shaped window. Duct block formed of pitch (?). Proximal end serrated. Red-filled incised designs (representing tepee with smoke rising from top) just below window. Cord of leather tied to distal end to facilitate removal from case. Tubular case of leather sewn at seam with leather strips. Several thongs of leather tied at each end pierce perimeter of circular closures of leather. Surface of case has polychrome painted decoration of complex iconography, comprised (from bottom to top) of orange band with undulating top, purple band in zigzag pattern, six yellow crescent moons, three red four-pointed stars (with purple dots in center), five blue diamonds (with purple diamonds in center), three red lightning bolts, four light green crosses, band of seven yellow circles, thin black line, wavy purple stripe, and four orange triangles.
ProvenancePurchased in New Mexico by Douglas Deihl, Northampton, MA; 1984, sold by Douglas Deihl to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 13, 1984)