Whistle Item Number: A2512 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

A hollow, brown wood piece is oval in cross section and that is made of two equal longitudinal sections bound together with brown cord lashings, one at the mouthpiece and the other halfway down the length. Tapers from the open end toward the mouthpiece. Design painted on one side appears to be an undersea creature with a raven on the other side. One side has the following: two central blue oval outlined by green with two blue u forms within a red u form within a green split u above and a green u form within a split red u within a blue u form below; two circular green eyes surrounded by a blue area outlined by green with a circular green and blue nose, a red mouth surrounded by a blue area, and four sets of a red u form within a blue u form that has a green oval below in the lower section. The other side has the following: two black ovoid pupils surrounded by a tapering oval and a green area around the eyes; two red u forms within a blue split u and a black u form are above each eye; below, there is a blue rectangular in the middle of a pair of red lines curving in a v form with black, blue, and green sections below; and a red split u within a blue u form within a black u form that has a green oval are at either side in the lower section.

History Of Use

Whistles were strongly connected with the presence of spirits.

Cultural Context

ceremonial

Item History

What

Name
Whistle
Identification Number
A2512
Type of Item
whistle
Material
cedar wood, cotton fibre and paint
Manufacturing Technique
carved and painted
Overall
height 5.2 cm, width 9.8 cm, depth 30.6 cm

Who

Culture
Kwakwaka'wakw
Previous Owner
Walter C. Koerner
Received from
Walter C. Koerner (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada

When

Ownership Date
before April 8, 1976
Acquisition Date
on April 8, 1976

Other

Condition
fair
Current Location
Case 40
Accession Number
0336/0123