New Zealand
Maori  People

Wood, shell, feathers, abalone, fiber
ca. Early 1900s
Length:  14 in
Aerophone – Lip Vibrated

Old Maori (Charonia lampas rubicunda or Triton shell: Charonia tritonis) Shell Trumpet  called “pūtātara,” with tassel of pukeko feathers. It comes from the Whanganui region, were the possession of chiefs and preserved family heirlooms are kept. The end of the shell is neatly cut off, leaving a small aperture for trumpeting to which a wooden, carved, mouthpiece with abalone, is fixed. 

The sound of the pūtātara  was originally used for many purposes including a signaling device to warn of danger; to announce the dawn of a new day; to communicate with Maori gods; to announce the planting of specific crops; to herald the birth of a child; or to announce the arrival to ‘marae’ (area in front of the meeting house) for formal training.  These sacred shells were rarely found in Aotearoa.  They were usually found washed upon the beaches and were regarded as a gift of Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

Resource: Māori musical instruments | Te Papa;  “Putatara,” Teurikore Biddle, ‘Groves Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” 2nd Ed. , Laurence Libin, Editor in chief, Oxford University Press, Vol 4, pp 179-180.