Owner: HWMC
Catalog#: 2LA-AEBH-01
Provenance – Field collected by Dr. Lewis B. Hilton (d. 1997), Professor Emeritus of Music Education at Washington University. Dr. Hilton is known for his research that included musical instruments of Mexico and Central America before the Cortez era and it was an honor to serve as his Graduate Assistant. He was my instructor, advisor, and inspiration at Washington University.
Edge-blown Flutes
Costa Rico 'Zoomorphic' Ocarina
Costa Rico, Mesoamerica
Huetar (Guetar) people
Ceramic
ca. 16th century
Length: 4 in; Width: 1.75 in
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge-blown Flutes/Whistle
A small animal effigy ocarina with red paint highlights. This zoomorphic figure has three finger holes on the back for changing pitch. It is from Central America, possibly made by the Huetar (Guetar) people of Costa Rica.
The ocarina is an globular aerophone that comes in a variety sizes, producing various tones and pitches depending upon the number of finger holes and size of the instrument. Although numerous types of instruments survived from pre-conquest South and Central America, little is known of how they were used. Whistles, trumpets, and rattles in animal or human form probably had ceremonial functions or served as playthings.