Burkinabe Wood Whistle or Flute

A bird, or maybe a bottle, depending on how you look at it.

Carvers in Burkina Faso, West Africa, made this whistle or flute in wood in the 20th century. Wooden whistles in the region are commonly connected with ceremony, signaling and protection. The form has a long, curved neck ending in a small, ridged head, over a broad, rounded body carved with chevron lines and a bulging eye-like shape. The wood is a rich, reddish-brown with darker patches in the hollows and a smooth, handled glow. It stands on a small black mount.

About twelve inches tall. An elegant curve with a wry sense of humor.