Object name: Bell / Collection place: Asia / Loans: S1986-1987 #9: Howe Homestead (City of Walnut Creek) (October 13, 1986–June 9, 1988) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Object name Bell Collection place Asia Loans S1986-1987 #9: Howe Homestead (City of Walnut Creek) (October 13, 1986–June 9, 1988)

Hearst Museum object titled Bell, accession number 9-9797, described as Pigeon flute; bell; brass; three spheres with 4 cm circular 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.