Mayan Whistle In The Form Of a Woman

Maya whistles and ocarinas come in a great variety of forms and motifs. However, a common feature among them is they often depict elegant individuals who appear to be from the upper class of society. This delightful whistle shows just such a person, in this case an attractive woman seen from the waist up. Her breasts are exposed, which was the Maya fashion, and there is a thick band around her waist. She wears a heavy necklace dangling with five circular ornaments. Earspools were signs of wealth and hers are particularly large, nicely balanced by the curved form of her hair. The expression on her face and the casual position of her arms gives the impression she is enjoying a festival or watching a ceremony. Whistles were used in important ritual ceremonies, as part of very elaborate displays that would have included many musicians playing drums, wooden trumpets, rattles and whistles. A distinctive feature is the mouthpiece located on her right arm. With this charming whistle we not only are allowed to see a Maya woman dressed in her finery; we can also hear its delicate sound, like a voice from the past.