Busacca Gallery

This is an artifact terracotta clay multiple tone blowing antique folk whistle. Whistles have been found that date back 30,000 years. The purpose of these artifacts, left behind by the earliest known form of modern man. Many of the whistles that have been unearthed are shaped like animals, including the human form. The majority of most known examples, however, have been representations of birds. It is speculated that they may have been used to imitate the sounds the animals in order to lure them closer so they could be hunted. This theory, however, fails to take in the existence of early whistles in human form. It has been proposed that these examples may have been used in proto-religious ceremonies such as fertility rites. Of course, they may have been used merely as a musical instrument or even as a child’s toy or all the above. Terracotta clay whistles have been produced for thousands of years, there is a fascination with these items. We are committed to enhancing our customer’s lives by discovering creating, and pointing out only the best art we can find in the world today. We are Taste-Makers, Art Advisers & Consultants

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle

A whistle or call is a simple aerophone, an instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. It may be mouth-operated, or powered by air pressure, steam, or other means. Whistles vary in size from a small slide whistle or nose flute type to a large multi-piped church organ.



The whistle has its roots dating back to ancient China, where night watchmen would blow into the tops of acorns to alert the towns to invading Mongolians, in the third century.[citation needed] In ancient Egypt two blades of the papyrus plant along the Nile river were held together in between the palms. By blowing into the palms the papyrus leaves would make a loud vibrant sound.