New Mexico
Southwest / Cochiti

Ceramic
Mid-Late 20th century
Length: 8 in; Diameter: 2 in
Aerophone – Wind Instrument Proper – Edge-blown Flutes/Ocarina

A ceramic animal effigy ocarina (flute) possibly in the shape of a lizard comes from the Cochiti, a Keresan-speaking tribe, whose pueblo is located on the west bank of the Rio Grande, about 35 miles southwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is the northernmost Keresan Pueblo in the state and consists of @ 1,200 pueblo members.  The Cochiti maintain their cultural practices and are well known for their craftmanship in making jewelry, pottery, and drums.  This effigy ocarina is made by the traditional hand-coiled pottery method and is painted in a buff color with red and black markings, outlining head features, the tail and legs on the side.

Little is known about this ocarina, however being made in an animal effigy shape, it most likely had a ceremonial function.  This ‘inline’ type of ocarina has an internal duct and an overall oval-shaped resonator body with three finger holes inline.