Mossi Wood Whistle or Flute, Based

The top is a head, or a shield, or both. Nobody is telling.

Mossi craftsmen of Burkina Faso, West Africa, carved this whistle or flute in wood in the 20th century. Such pieces are commonly linked to music and communication, and decorative forms vary widely. A small animal-like head with a ridged brow sits above a shield-shaped frame, and incised herringbone marks run down the center. The long shaft ends in a coil near the base. The wood is warm brown and slightly worn. A black metal stand keeps it upright.

About fourteen inches tall. A long, graceful line for a narrow corner.