Owner: HWMC
Catalog#: 2LA-AEBH-02
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
Mexico ‘Uilacapitztli’ - Pottery Flute of the Aztec
Mexico, Mesoamerica
Aztec
Ceramic, pigment paint of white and red
ca. 1350 – 1521 C.E.
Length: 16 in; Height: (including effigy) 4 in; Pipe diameter: 2 in
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge-blown Flutes/Whistle
This pre-Columbian flute of buff earthenware with deep red painted mouthpiece and shaft is an Aztec ‘Uilacapitztli’ (pottery flute). A human effigy decoration is sculptured near the mouthpiece, with two flanges below the effigy acting as a stand for the pipe. At the end of the flute is a pierced rim design. There are four finger holes on top for changing the pitch.
Although numerous types of instruments survive 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.