Collection place: Beijing, Beijing municipality, Northern China / Donor: Estate of James Pomeroy Howe / Culture or time period: Chinese - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Collection place Beijing, Beijing municipality, Northern China Donor Estate of James Pomeroy Howe Culture or time period Chinese

Hearst Museum object titled Pigeon flute, accession number 9-9714, described as pigeon flute; 5 bamboo pipes with dark brown stain; plexiglass tongue for tail ring; According to some writers, flutes were attached to message-carrying pigeons to frighten away hawks and eventually came to be used by pigeon fanciers to lure away another fancier’s pigeon or flock in order to increase their wealth and status. According to Berthold Laufer, the flutes were used for the aesthetic value of their music. Makers in this collection include: HUNG, CHUNG, KUEI, MING, PAN, SHIH-TZU (?), SHENG, LI. For additional information consult accession envelope.