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Whistle

Chokwe

Artwork Details

Whistle
20th century
Chokwe
ivory
2 ½ in x 1 ½ in x 1 in (6.35 cm x 3.81 cm x 2.54 cm)
Gift of Robert M. and Lillian Montalto Bohlen in memory of Nancy Turner Bohlen
2015/2.182

Description

Subject Matter:

Up until the mid-20th century, whistles such as this 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:

A whistle in the shape of a figure. Four horizontal holes, two at the head and two at the base, and one larger vertical hole at the base.

Usage Rights:

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