Whistle

Unknown

early 20th century · Wood, copper wire · Musical Instruments

A plain, tapering tube topped by a bulbous open end and an appendage with a single finger hole is a common southern Congolese whistle form. This rare instrument, an elaboration of the simpler form, is incised with line-filled triangles, and decorated with coiled copper wire and an imposing fluted lance carved at its lower end. Among the Kuba people nshyemb may also indicate an ivory flute.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 20th century

Medium

Wood, copper wire

Culture

Kuba, Ngend or Yaka people

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Gift of Herbert J. Harris, by exchange and the Barrington Foundation Inc. Gift, 1993