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Whistle

DateC. 1891

Mediumwood, split root, resin, pitch, wire

DimensionsOther: 11 × 6.9 × 44.7 cm (4 5/16 × 2 11/16 × 17 5/8 in.)
Other: 3.1 × 1.3 cm (1 1/4 × 1/2 in.)

ClassificationsCeremonial Objects

Terms

Paper Field ReferencesCMH VII-B-32

Object numberHRC 00032

Descriptionmusical instrument; a wind instrument blown by the mouth carved from a single piece of wood split in half lengthwise, each half hollowed out to approx 10 cm thick then bound together with strips of split root forming a hollow tube, elliptical in cross-sectioni, which tapers towards prosximal end and is constricted 16 cm from distal end. constriction is wrapped with a strip of split root with loose ends of strip tucked beneath wrapping. tube flares then tapers towards tapering mouth piece delineated by constriction 5.6 cm from proximal end. constriction is wrapped with a strip of splite root with loose ends of strip tucked beneath wrapping, and is also wrapped twice with a piece of fine wire with loose ends twisted together. mouthpiecce has two parallel lines incised around it 4.3 cm and 4.5 cm from proximal end. a groove ( 0.7 cm wide ) is carved around tube 2.2 cm from distal end and filled with a strip of split root wrapped around several times with loose ends tucked beneath wrapping. halves of instrument are further secured together along joins at sides by a coat of black pitch like substance over paper and resin. a hollow flaring cyclindrical tube, elliptical in cross section with partially closed rounded proximal end madde of wood in similar way as instrument, is secured with resin within central portion of instrument, forming a reed for channelling airr through (distal end of reed is located at central constriction of instrument i.e 16 cm from distal end.)
Published ReferencesThe Whistles and Reed Instruments of the American Indians of the Northwest Coast, Royal Musical Association Proceedings, March 29, 1903 - Galpin, Rev. F.W Cultures of the North Pacific Coast - Drucker, P. Art in the Life of the Northwest Coast Indians, Gunther, Erna United States National Museum Report for 1888, Niblack, A.P Yale University Publications in Anrthropology, Roberts, Helen H. On the Haida Indians of the Queen Charlotte Islands, Dawson, G.M

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