Bird-Shaped Whistle
1000–1500
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Birds are among the most often portrayed animals in the pre-Columbian art of Central America. Their song and ability to fly were greatly admired traits, and whistles like the charming examples seen here would have reproduced a bird’s melodic call almost perfectly. The polychrome whistle on the right has a painted lattice design, and the one on the left is adorned with incised lines, triangles, and circles filled with white pigment. Both types of decoration suggest bird feathers.
Caption
Bird-Shaped Whistle, 1000–1500. Ceramic, pigments, 3 3/8 x 2 3/4 in. (8.5 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 34.2059. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Bird-Shaped Whistle
Date
1000–1500
Medium
Ceramic, pigments
Classification
Dimensions
3 3/8 x 2 3/4 in. (8.5 x 7 cm)
Credit Line
Alfred W. Jenkins Fund
Accession Number
34.2059
Frequent Art Questions
How did they make the pigments to color their pottery? - Una, 11
Pigments were extracted from natural substances like minerals and clay. For example, this little whistle was painted using "slip" clay mixed with water until it was watered-down enough to act as paint. The whistle would have made a sound similar to the bird's song.Cool! Thanks.
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