Whistle
Dateca. 500-1000
Mediumpottery and paint
DimensionsOverall: 2 1/4 x 4 7/8 x 1 3/8 in. (5.7 x 12.4 x 3.5 cm)
ClassificationsMusical Instruments
Credit LineCollection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Object number65.050.058
DescriptionThe collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) is a large mammal native to the American tropics and one of the most preferred game animals of indigenous populations. Social creatures that live in herds, they are not threatening to humans unless provoked. This simple whistle celebrates the jovial nature of peccaries and suggests that these creatures were celebrated in rituals or feasts. The double-headed design of this piece may be due to the social habits of this animal or may be a stylistic feature as seen on the jaguar ocarina in the exhibition.
