What in the Heck is This?
A couple years ago, I found this in a flea market in southern Missouri. It was weird enough looking that I could not resist buying it. It is made of clay, and is painted with bizarre male characters. Its back has holes in it, and it appears to be some kind of whistle, though I have not been able to get a sound out of it. It is about 7 inches tall, about 8 and a half inches across, and 3 and a half inches deep. Do any of you wise readers have any thoughts on what it is, and where it comes from? Or have any ideas who to ask?
posted by Dan at 6/19/2005 12:54:00 PM
6 Comments:
Now you're getting lazy - requesting your readers to do your research. If you had taken the time to make a quick trip to the art history section of the library, if you had swung by the Nelson Art Gallery and spoken with one of the curators, or if you had shown a picture to one of the sales assistant's at Seventh Heaven, you would have realized that you purchased a relatively rare, but slightly damaged, 3 headed, native American penis bong. Without the three bowls on the back, the piece is worth approximately 50 dollars. Had you found one with the bowls, but without significant fire damage and without bong water bilge markings, it could have been worth as much as $163.28.
My mistake. I went back and looked at the photo again. I failed to maximize my browser window before posting. You have the more common six headed penis bong. Probably not worth more than a buck ninety eight unless its filled with smoking material.
Thanks for the thoughts, but I question your conclusion, since it's only 8 1/2 inches across.
Hmm... I agree that it seems to pretty clearly be a whistle. I ouldnt' dare guess to it's origins though as clay whistles have been made all over the world through out time. I'd suggest taking it to an art or music historian for indentification. As for playing it, have you tried covering all but one hole on th eback of the figures (not counting the "blow hole")? Just a thought.
Nice piece regardless. Be sure to update us when you find out what it is and where it's from.
I think dan and dolphin are right...looks like some kind of a whistle. But Anonymous' comments made me bust out laughing! Take it in to Seventh Heaven, Dan, and see what they say!! LOL MS
Well, you guys are close; but obviously didn't study the front view closely enough. If properly played, the bells held by the Magically Midgetized Musicians will ring, generating the Slightly Suspect Sixtone Series peculiar to the southeastern most Andean area. At all costs, do not employ the lowest, single aperture of the instrument; the reasons should be obvious. No need to thank me.
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