Whistle with Carved Design of Long-beaked Water Bird Item Number: 50.67.91 from the Brooklyn Museum

Description

This is a long, thin whistle with only one hole in the beak of a bird with metal tacks for eyes. The bird's head is carved at the end and painted blue-green on the outside and red on the inside. The nostril slits are also painted red. The stop is a piece of birch bark held in place with a sinew wrapping. Jarvis (the collector) original inscription reads, "Indian Flute Chippeway."

Credit Line

Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund

Item History

  • Made between 1800 and 1825

What

Name
Whistle with Carved Design of Long-beaked Water Bird
Identification Number
50.67.91
Type of Item
whistle, design, carved, water and bird
Material
wood, birchbark, sinew, pigment and brass metal
Overall
length 36.5 in, width 2.5 in, height 0.875 in

Who

Culture
Chippewa and Sioux

Where

Holding Institution
Brooklyn Museum

When

Creation Date
between 1800 and 1825

Other

Classification
Model