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Reed pipe (sk-a'na)

Native American, Haida (Masset)
19th century
Object Place: British Columbia, Canada, Queen Charlotte Islands

Medium/Technique Red cedar, spruce root
Dimensions Length 34 cm, width 3.9 cm, thickness 1.9 cm (Length 13 3/8 in., width 1 9/16 in., thickness 3/4 in.)
Credit Line Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.2220
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsMusical instrumentsAerophones

DescriptionNarrow U-shaped body (of oval cross-section) constructed of two hollowed out halves of red cedar (?), bound with strips of split spruce root near both ends of each leg and at proximal end. Distal end closed. Two diamond-shaped embouchure holes. Slits in unbound sections of each leg of body function as lateral retreating reeds.

ProvenanceBy 1903, Francis W. Galpin (b. 1858 - d. 1945), Hatfield Regis, England [see note]; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (b. 1858 - d. 1922), Boston; 1916, gift of William Lindsey to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)

NOTE: F. W. Galpin, "The Whistles and Reed Instruments of the American Indians of the North-West Coast," Proceedings of the Musical Association, 29th sess. (1902-1903): pl. III, fig. 16b.