Greece
Maker Unknown

Terracotta, paint
ca.  600-500 BCE
Height: 3.25 inches
Wind Instruments – Woodwind Instruments – Flutes – Fipple (Duct)

This whistle depicts Proteus, the old man of the sea and shepherd of the sea’s seals in Greek mythology.  He could assume various shapes in order to escape and is seen here escaping into the shape of a seal. This ancient Greek whistle shows remnants of blue paint and is dated at 600-500 BCE with a validated certificate of authenticity.  

The whistle is classified as a fipple (duct) flute.  It generates sound when an air stream is blown through a chamber or duct and directed to an opening where the air is split to create a sound.  The fipple (duct) flutes may include recorders, flageolets, and whistles as seen here.