Bugle-flute "putorino" ·  New Zealand, Maori · ID: 3036667

Description

wood, dark brown patina, fine flax binding, face (“wheku”) at the blowing end and a further face carved around a central hole, both with haliotis-shell eyes, slightly dam., abrasion of paint;
this instrument could be played at either end, either as a flute or a bugle. Traditional information would suggest that these were used more for signalling when a chief was returning to a village than for making music.

The object Bugle-flute “putorino” with the object ID 3036667 was part of the auction 76th tribal art auction on March 22, 2014. The object with the lot number 73 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,400 with an asking price of EUR 1,500.

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Comparing literature

Starzecka, Dorota C., Taonga Maori in the British Museum, London 2010, ill. 505 ff.