Hamatsa Whistle

Artist:Gwa'sala Kwakwaka'wakw

Medium: Cedar wood, cotton cord, resin, pigment

Geograhical Locations:

• Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Dates:19th century

Dimensions: 8 11/16 x 2 3/4 in. (22.1 x 7 cm)

Collections:

• Arts of the Americas

Exhibitions:

• Objects of Myth and Memory
• Life, Death, and Transformation in the Americas

Accession Number: 05.588.7351

Image: 05.588.7351_acetate_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
The whistle is in the form of a human face with an open mouth. The instrument was likely played during the Hamatsa initiation ceremony. A cotton cord is wrapped around the figure's neck and head piece. Condition: good.

Brooklyn Museum