Whistle

Accession Number
2005/1.202

Title
Whistle

Artist(s)
Chokwe

Artist Nationality
Chokwe (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1920

Medium & Support
wood and leather string

Dimensions
5 9/16 in x 1 7/8 in x 1 13/16 in (14.1 cm x 4.7 cm x 4.6 cm);5 9/16 in x 1 7/8 in x 1 13/16 in (14.1 cm x 4.7 cm x 4.6 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern

Subject matter
Up until the mid-20th century, whistles such as this object were used during the hunt to communicate with fellow hunters and dogs. The whistle is carved as an anthropomorphic representation of an ancestor, a chief or a masked figure and therefore also functions as a status object. The whistle was either worn on a string as a pendant or it was tied to other objects. 

Physical Description
Anthropomorphic whistle with facial features, round torso and two round protrusions extending from the sides of the torso. The piece is hollow. 

Primary Object Classification
Musical Instrument

Primary Object Type
whistle

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
hunting
symbols of office or status
whistles

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted

On display

UMMA Gallery Location ➜ AMH, 2nd floor ➜ 205 (Albertine Monroe-Brown Study-Storage Gallery) ➜ Cabinet W ➜ Shelf 3